Public Programmes

Introduction to the UK Healthcare System

Objectives

• Understand the structure of the UK healthcare systems - how healthcare is funded and provided
• Understand the key issues and trends in the UK healthcare environment and their political drivers
• Understand how the UK healthcare system impacts on the use and availability of medicines
• Understand the challenges these present for the UK pharma business

Target Audience

• Those who are new to the Pharma industry or to the UK

Course Content

DAY 1:
Key Policy Themes and Impact on NHS environment

• Key policy themes
• Infrastructure of NHS - SHAs, PCTs, Trusts
• Infrastructure - Scotland, Wales, NI
• Financial Environment

New Mechanisms - Practice Based Commissioning and Payment by Results

• How it works
• Impact on PCTs and practices
• Impact on providers

Changes in Prescribing

• Who can prescribe
• Electronic prescribing, repeat prescribing
• NICE - latest developments
• Impact of PbR on prescribing

Changes in Working Practice of professionals

• Contracts for pharmacists and primary care
• Workforce initiatives - flexible roles