Policy responses and statements
Background: The PMETB circulated a copy of its consultation on the fees and charges it proposes to levy from 1st April 2007. The proposals on the main CCT and Article 11/14 fees are the same as those on which the PMETB consulted in late 2005 and proposed for this year. Ultimately, the lower level of fees charged in 2006/07 was made possible by a further subsidy from the Department of Health. The Board accepted this as an opportunity to respond to those consulted who sought a staged approach to the rises implied by the proposed fees. The PMETB does not expect this subsidy to continue. The Board remains determined to demonstrate its independence from the Departments of Health. A key plank of that strategy is achieving financial independence. The fees proposed will enable the PMETB to cover more than 50% of its work from its own income next year and puts the Board on track for complete financial independence by 2009/2010. The Board is sympathetic to respondents last year who suggested that the service should also contribute to PMETB's costs. In response to this, within the consultation, the PMETB has set out some early thinking on how it might charge for the QA work it undertakes. It is unlikely that these charges would be introduced before April 2008, but the PMETB hopes they would enable it gradually to replace the central funding for QA which it will receive from the Departments of Health in 2007/08 without recourse to further large increases in its feess for those using its certfication services.
Download this consultation response as a .pdf
Copies of this response are available from: Lesley Lockhart, Tel: 0131 225 7324 ext 608 [30 November 2006]
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