Please download the Indicitive Timeline (xlsx) to see the current indicative timeline for processing expressions of interest received (correct on 1st July 2024).
Please note these are indicative timelines only and they are subject to change. Timelines will be updated on a quarterly basis as Expressions of Interest move through the process.
If you wish to submit an expression of interest, please contact the Primary Care Contracts Officer by email at pamela.calder@nhs.scot
Pharmacy Application Process
Step 1
Proposed pharmacy application received; initial meeting arranged with Primary Care Representatives and Applicant, Joint Public Consultation date is agreed.
Joint consultation runs for a continuous period of not less than 90 working days.
On completion of the Joint Public Consultation, Primary Care will produce a Consultation Analysis Report (CAR) and agree this with the applicant.
Step 2
Following completion of the Joint Public Consultation the Applicant has 90 days in which to submit their application, which the Board will review, any missing information must be provided within 5 working days.
Within 10 working days of receiving application, the Board will invite representations from the GP Sub Committee, Interested Parties, and any neighbouring Health Boards if boundary is within 2km of the proposed premises.
They have 30 days from notification to respond.
Step 3
PPC Hearing is then arranged.
Decision of the PPC is notified to the Health Board within 10 working days of the meeting.
The Health Board must notify the applicant and other relevant parties of the PPC decision within 5 working days and advise them of any right to appeal. The Board is also required to publish the full PPC decision on their website within 5 working days of the decision.
Timescale for an application moving through the full process at the Health Board is therefore minimum 12 months from the pre application meeting until the PPC hearing. Should the decision on an application be appealed then the process will be extended.
Appeal Process
Any appeal submitted by applicant must be done within 21 days of the PPC decision. This must be submitted to the National Appeal Panel (NAP).
NAP will review the appeal and will render the decision within 2 months.
The Board will inform the applicant within 5 working days of the NAP decision.