The CED Accreditation Scheme Board have responded to the recent release from the DH TCES team with surprise

Jean Hutfield, Chair of the Board, said “We are somewhat bemused by the notion that the DH TCES team believed that they had, or needed, to endorse the CEDA Scheme. It is our view that we are an independent body set up to facilitate a national standard of prescription fulfilment for Local Authorities/PCTs, to safeguard users of the service, and self-funders, by creating a high level of training and ethics in equipment provision via retailers – irrespective of their geographical location.

It is also our view that the Local Authority Social Services teams and PCTs can make their own decisions with regards to registration as they are autonomous bodies, not managed centrally by the TCES team. It is our job to create a compelling case for the local teams to use a national body, not tell them what to do.”

CEDA provides a centralised national registration for retailers at a low cost, removing the need for local Public Sector teams to have to set up and run their own scheme, thus avoiding repeated local cost. CEDA has independently validated training and training providers for retailers to use, creating consistent National Standards for retailers, and avoiding a postcode lottery. This gives national retailers easier access to, and consistent approach, across their business whilst providing a level playing field and cost base for local independent retailers.

“We have had a very successful first year and with the high start up costs behind us, we have a fully operational scheme with an Accreditation and Guidance manual. I am pleased to announce that this means we can reduce the cost of registration renewal in year 2 to £150 + VAT for a retailer, starting 1st October, and renewal for individual dispensers at £50 + VAT. In addition new retailers joining now will be registered for the whole period until 30th September 2010. We look forward to supporting new areas moving to the TCES scheme or running their own models for many years to come” said Hutfield.