Proposed New Formula for Allocating Prescribing Resources to LCGs and General Practices - QuestionnaireIn Northern Ireland the prescribing budget covers costs incurred by general practices in prescribing drugs and medicines to their patients. The Department of Health Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) devolves a budget to the Health and Social Care Board (HSCB) and the HSCB subsequently deploys an indicative prescribing amount to the Local Commissioning Groups (LCGs) and general practices.
A weighted capitation formula for allocating primary care prescribing resources was first introduced in Northern Ireland in 1998/99. Extensive research was conducted for a number of years and the formula was first subjected to an equality impact assessment, public consultation and external peer review in 2003. The formula was subjected to a full review in 2009/10 and this was implemented with Ministerial approval for 2010/11; the final report was published in June 2010.
It is good practice to review allocation formulae regularly to ensure that any formula is accurate, robust and reflective of current needs.
The consultation closes Tuesday 7 June 2016