Service Efficiency Payment

Financial Framework · 2025-26

Global Sum

Rewarding contractors who achieve a target level of electronic claiming for prescriptions submitted to Practitioner Services.

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Overview

What Is the Service Efficiency Payment?

The Service Efficiency Payment is for achieving a target level of electronic claiming for prescriptions submitted for pricing by Practitioner Services.

Existing contractors have a target payment amount based on their individual profile. Any new contractors added to the Pharmaceutical List from 1st April 2025 will have a target payment of £150 per month.

From 1st April 2025, to receive the payment, contractors must achieve the continuing claim rate of at least 80% for all possible claims, including care home items, instalments and stoma items.

Payment Threshold

The 80% Electronic Claim Rate

80% or above

Full Payment

On or above the 80% threshold, the contractor receives their full target SE payment.

Below 80%

No Payment

Below the threshold, contractors are not eligible for any payment — except in exceptional circumstances (see below).

Threshold

80%

Minimum electronic claim rate required for payment.

New Contractor Target

£150

Per month for contractors joining from 1st April 2025.

Applies To

All Claims

Including care home items, instalments and stoma items.

Exceptions

Exceptional Circumstances & Local Issues

Health Board Special Payment
A contractor who wouldn't otherwise receive a payment may request the Health Board to consider failure to achieve the 80% threshold as exceptional and outwith the contractor's control. If approved, a full or partial payment may be authorised at the Health Board's discretion.
Local Issues — ePharmacy Helpdesk
Where there are local issues — for example where a surgery has had network connection issues — contractors should call the ePharmacy helpdesk to make them aware. This can then be considered alongside the SE% achieved.