Applications to provide NHS Pharmaceutical Services. A Consultation on the Control of Entry Arrangements and Dispensing GP Practices

Annex D

Equality Impact and Business Regulatory Impact Assessment Information

Equality Impact Assessment Information

The public sector equality duties require the Scottish Government to pay "due regard" to the need to:

• eliminate discrimination, victimisation, harassment or other unlawful conduct that is prohibited under the Equality Act 2010;
• advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not;
• foster good relations between people who share a relevant protected characteristic.

These three requirements apply across the "protected characteristics" of age; disability; gender reassignment; pregnancy and maternity; race; religion and belief; sex and sexual orientation.

In effect, this means that equality considerations are integrated into all functions and policies of Scottish Government Directorates and Agencies.

A key part of these duties is to assess the impact of all of our policies to ensure that the Scottish Government do not inadvertently create a negative impact for equality groups, and also to ensure that the Scottish Government actively seek the opportunity to promote equality of opportunity and to foster good relations

The Scottish Government has not identified any potential negative impact on any equality group of the proposals in this consultation exercise. Indeed, in so far as these proposals are intended to safeguard the provision of local NHS services, it considers that the proposals are supportive of the interest of all equality groups in the same way as they are supportive of the care needs of the wider population.

The Scottish Government welcomes your feedback regarding the equalities impact of the proposals presented in this paper, and the effect they may have on different sectors of the population.

Business Regulatory Impact Assessment Information

The Scottish Government is committed to consulting with all parties potentially affected by proposals for new legislation, or where any regulation is being changed significantly. All policy changes, whether European or domestic, which may have an impact upon business or the third sector organisations should be accompanied by a Business Regulatory Impact Assessment (BRIA).

The BRIA helps policy makers to use available evidence to find proposals that best achieve the policy objectives, whilst minimising costs and burdens. Through consultation and engagement with business, the costs and benefits of the proposed legislation can be analysed. It also ensures that any impact on business, particularly small enterprises, is fully considered before Regulations are made.

The Scottish Government welcomes your views regarding the impact that the proposals presented in this paper may have on businesses.

The Scottish Government has identified potential impact on 3 business interests in this consultation.

1. In respect of dispensing doctor practices these proposals are intended to provide short term stability, which in term would enable the practices concerned to provide a continuum of care to patients. There are no proposals at the present to change the funding envelope for the contractors concerned.
2. In respect of persons wishing to apply to open a community pharmacy these consultation proposals may in some circumstances involve increased preparation, but are intended to help deliver better decision making by NHS Board Pharmacy Practice Committees which is an objective that is beneficial in respect of all parties.
3. In respect of individual professional pharmacists these proposals hold out the prospect of some potential increased need for professional pharmacists to support dispensing doctors to provide services to patients consistent with local plans which may be developed by NHS Boards. This may enable pharmacists concerned to enter into arrangements with NHS Boards.