CPW agreed with the Welsh government in September for the scheme to run from October 6 until March 31, 2026.

Contractors taking part can receive £300 per month over six months by completing three elements of the scheme. 

The elements include displaying a “Help Us Help You – CAS Winter Campaign” poster for six months and fully implementing the management of urinary tract infections (UTIs) and sore throat pathways as part of the common ailment service (CAS). 

In May, the Welsh government announced the UTIs and sore throat services would be backed by £6m in funding and would become a “mandatory” part of the CAS – it confirmed 99% of community pharmacies are able to do this last week. 

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The third element includes providing CAS patients with information on its patient reported experience measures (PREMS) feasibility study, which means contractors need to display posters and have leaflets, both with QR codes on, for CAS patients to access the study. 

CPW sent an update that the PREMS study element has been delayed until resources are delivered, with a start date for this element to begin on October 20. 

The winter incentive scheme is being funded by approximately £1m from the 2025–26 CPCF which is yet to be fully announced. 

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A letter signed by the Welsh government’s deputy chief pharmaceutical officer Emma Williams and head of pharmacy and prescribing Natalie Proctor said any underspend from the £1m “will be redistributed through the clinical services allocation”. 

Contractors can earn a maximum of £1,800 and monthly claims declaring the elements have been met must be submitted through the national electronic claim and audit forms (NECAF) online service to trigger a payment. 

CPW confirmed to C+D that if post payment verification checks against submitted claims find “non-compliance”, £125 per month each for the PREMS study and UTI and sore throat elements, and £50 for the winter poster element, will be recovered. 

Funding updates 

In September, CPW said negotiations with Welsh Government and NHS Wales over the 2025-26 CPCF are “continuing”. 

It “welcomed” a funding increase from the government’s proposal but said it was “insufficient to sustain the viability of the network”. 

CPW has sent an “alternative proposal” which is currently being considered, after it commissioned an independent financial analyst to demonstrate the “impact of recent government decisions that have had a significant impact on community pharmacy finances”.  

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Last September, CPW welcomed a “6% increase” in community pharmacy funding for the 2024/25 year. 

In May, CPW called on the Welsh government to create a “level playing field” for community pharmacies, asking for “equal” pay and working conditions to those in the primary and secondary care sectors. 

It followed the Welsh government earlier that month launching a “grant scheme” that offers community pharmacy contractors up to £45,000 to carry out improvements to their premises.