CEO’s Insights: The Negotiating Conundrum (BLOG)
Published: 30/07/24
Our core purpose is to support and develop a viable community pharmacy network, negotiation is obviously central to this and to your activities.
Over the years I would argue Community Pharmacy Scotland (CPS) have been relatively successful regarding negotiations. I’m sure there are things my Board and I would look back on over time, and with hindsight maybe have done something a bit differently but, overall funding wise, I believe Scotland's pharmacy network is in a better place due to our efforts.
“In many ways relationships have never been as important as they are now”
What do I believe are the important principles that have enabled this?
1. Relationships
2. Trust
3. Honesty
4. Seek first to understand’ ’Win win’
All these factors are huge in any negotiation. The Scottish Government, believe it or not, want the same as we do. They want a vibrant community pharmacy network that is enabled to deliver top class services to patients, whilst being a vital cog in the NHS primary care ecosystem.
“We will continue to work hard to obtain the best deal for you, our community pharmacy network”
Having positive relationships based on mutual trust, with honesty included, seems so obvious. However, without these relationship building blocks, negotiations of all kinds can often break down. These factors do not mean you cannot disagree or challenge each other, that would make for an unhealthy negotiating environment if everything was plain sailing.
Whilst the Scottish Government want the same outcomes, there are also things that must be recognised on both sides. Firstly, understanding the position of the opposite side is important and should inform thinking. Second to this, it is essential to look for wins on both sides. The latter has been obvious in the shaping of NHS Pharmacy First Scotland and the introduction of an independent prescribing service in recent years. These developments benefit both sides; the Scottish Government, in terms of delivering services required for patients, and the community pharmacy network, delivering value and a reason for being as we go forward and evolve service provision. These developments come at a cost though and this is generally recognised on both sides.
“CPS intensely models funding, to scope out scenario plans, and builds proactive proposals using this modelling to support our arguments”
In recent years, the evidence base has become more important. As funding becomes tighter the justification for funding (in terms of costs and extra resource) becomes more acute. CPS intensely models funding, to scope out scenario plans, and builds proactive proposals using this modelling to support our arguments.
Recent years have seen the Scottish Government struggle to balance the books. This has unfortunately had an impact on the normal timelines for negotiations, last year it was into July before any agreement was reached. This year with finances even more stretched, the timelines are being challenged even further. This is not helpful for CPS members already experiencing increasing costs and looking for certainty to support investment in their businesses. We understand this, the direct civil servants are aware of this, but the national finance teams are tightening the purse strings and more of the above work is needed. Our relationships are tested by the financial pressures which disrupt the normal negotiating process. In many ways relationships have never been as important as they are now.
With every negotiation you have to be prepared to walk away and illustrate the consequences of not being able to reach an agreement. In community pharmacy’s case, insufficient funding could lead to a reduction in the ability of contractors to provide services, whether that be the services themselves or reduced availability of services (e.g. through opening hours). No one wants this, but it is the reality that is understood on both sides of the negotiating table. So far, despite a prolonged negotiation period, discussions remain constructive. The CPS Board and Negotiating Team will exhaust all avenues before going down any other path. We will continue to work hard to obtain the best deal for you, our community pharmacy network.
Please send any questions relating to this blog to enquiries@cps.scot
Our Pharmacists are a key part of the day to day operations from providing support to your team day to day via strong leadership and support, whilst also ensuring the community receives great advice via pharmacy first consultations and accurate prescription dispensing.
Our Pharmacists are a key part of the day to day operations from providing support to your team day to day via strong leadership and support, whilst also ensuring the community receives great advice via pharmacy first consultations and accurate prescription dispensing.
Our Pharmacists are a key part of the day to day operations from providing support to your team day to day via strong leadership and support, whilst also ensuring the community receives great advice via pharmacy first consultations and accurate prescription dispensing.
To advise of a Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP) in place for cefalexin 500mg tablets, from 6 August 2024 to 27 September 2024.
To advise of a Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP) in place for ramipril 2.5mg tablets, from 6 August 2024 to 15 November 2024.
To view our latest eNewsletter through your browser, please click on the link
There has been an update to the respiratory section of the NHS Pharmacy First (Scotland) Service Approved List of Products. This means that there are no longer any products listed under cough. It was agreed to remove Simple linctus sugar free, all pack sizes.
Your next Parcelforce prescription collection is coming up on Tuesday, 6th August 2024.
To view our latest eNewsletter through your browser, please click on the link
As a part of our work with the Scottish Government and Public Health Scotland, we regularly raise lines of concern and work to secure adjusted prices for these. We also work with them regularly to review lines which have now stabilised and remove these as appropriate.
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We are looking for a reliable, dedicated Pharmacist Manager or Pharmacist seeking a new challenge. Ideally, we are seeking a Pharmacist aiming to become an independent prescriber or currently working towards this qualification to build upon the current Pharmacy First Plus service. Support will be provided to those looking to undertake the prescribing qualification. This role is also available to newly qualified Pharmacists looking to build a career and develop further.
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This is a great opportunity to achieve perfect work-life balance while working in a small community pharmacy delivering exceptional service and care. If knowing all of your patients by first name is what gets you out of bed in the morning, and holding patients' hands through the ups and downs of family life and healthcare needs excites you, then our Symington Pharmacy could be the move you have been waiting for.
Read the latest blog from our CEO Matt Barclay who discusses the conundrum of negotiations.
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The next community pharmacy public Health Scotland campaign will be a re-run of ‘Detecting Cancer Early’.
On today's episode… NHS Pharmacy First (Scotland) Service Guidance & Flowchart, the Independent Prescribers Period of Learning in Practice and Designated Prescribing Practitioner Survey and the CPS Communications Survey for 2024.
guidance for the NHS Pharmacy First Scotland (NHS PFS) service, which is in response to previous questions and outcomes from live events held with the community pharmacy network.
We have an opening for an easily managed pharmacy unit where we require a Travel Clinic and Common Conditions Clinic to be set up. If you really want to get your teeth into providing professional services and using your IP Qualification then this is for you.
The Scottish Government have released Circulars PCA(2024)12 through to 20 advising of Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) that are in place in relation to supply issues with Quetiapine 150mg, 200mg and 300mg tablets.
To view our latest eNewsletter through your browser, please click on the link
Calling all community pharmacy independent prescribers – We Need You!
The Scottish Government have enacted an early release from prison scheme for low-risk offenders in a bid to ease overcrowding.
We are excited to announce an opening for a Manager at our Niddrie Mains Road Pharmacy.
Not every presenting sore throat is a throat infection and therefore, not every sore throat needs an antibiotic.
CEO
We are currently seeking a Pharmacy Manager to lead our pharmacy team in Gullane. The team consists of an excellent mix of qualified support staff, including qualified technicians. We operate a centralised robotic hub for compliance aids and provide ongoing head office support, resulting in minimal paperwork. This position is ideal for someone looking to work in a local community pharmacy delivering exceptional service and care.