As part of the changes to the arrangements for dispensing doctors agreed as part of the GMS changes in 2006/07, the Dispensary Services Quality Scheme (DSQS) came into effect in September 2006. The voluntary scheme aims to ensure dispensing practices are working to provide high quality and professional practice for their dispensing patients. The scheme reflects similar quality standards set out in the NHS Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (CPCF), particularly around clinical governance requirements.
Each year dispensing practices who sign up for the scheme must provide reassurance they are providing good professional practice by submitting a self-declaration to the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board (HIOW ICB) Medicines Optimisation Team to demonstrate their compliance. If all requirements are met, the dispensing practice is paid a fee per registered dispensing patient.
The quality requirements set out in the DSQS include:
• Payment conditions
• Dispensing staff training and/or experience
• Minimum level of staff hours
• Duty of confidentiality
• Standard operating procedures and risk management
• Patient information
• Review with patients of compliance and concordance with use of medicines
• Audit
• Assessment of performance against the criteria for payment
Participating practices must nominate a named and accountable GP for the quality of the dispensing services.