So ‘clawback’ stands according to the CDO’s letter to the BDA dated 17th September. We’re still working in this parallel universe where patients who normally pay, get their treatment for free, subsidised from support payments supposed to keep practices afloat. There are problems with VDP contracts. We’re still waiting for a response to our request for test data on revalidated masks, sent weeks ago. Patients are still confused and angered by the two-tier system that has developed. The list goes on……….
Our historic lack of unity means we have no representative body with the strength or resolve to tackle these problems. As a collection of individuals, we are powerless.
This is in stark contrast to other professional groups like doctors, pharmacy owners and optician owners who unite behind representative bodies and enjoy far more favourable outcomes than we do.
We need to acknowledge and address our unity problem. This is the first and most important step in improving the way we are treated. We should have a well-supported group with the strength and resolve to represent and protect our interests. We believe that the owner’s group is best placed to meet this need. No other group will represent owners as well as we can represent ourselves.
SDPO has the potential to be a game changer. If we can get the support of 80% or more of Scottish practice owners, government will have to engage with us. There has been some talk of legislative change that may be necessary for SDPO to get ‘a seat at the table’, but the SDR already states that Scottish Government must consult with ‘organisations representative of the profession’. An organisation with 80% plus of Scottish practice owners would be hard to ignore, and would have the resources to challenge Scottish Government policy.
We are making headway. With unity and support from Scottish practice owners, SDPO are confident that we can deliver change. Please spread the word, encourage others to join the group, support the work of the committee and stay engaged as we move forwards.
We deserve better/Our teams deserve better/The public deserve better
United we can achieve better
SDPO