NHS England launches educational supervisor training for the community pharmacy workforce.
NHS England are making available 1,000 module places which will be delivered by ProPharmace from September 2023. This new offer provides 500 places for Designated Prescribing Practitioner (DPPs) and 500 places for other educational supervisors, including Designated Supervisors (DSs).
This training will ensure those involved in educational supervision are confident to provide support and developmental aid to the pharmacy workforce within community pharmacy.
The training will be delivered flexibly to accommodate work schedules and will allow learners to develop their skills and knowledge around delivering educational supervision whilst keeping patient safety and person-centred care at the forefront.
Both pharmacists and pharmacy technicians wishing to supervise colleagues in community pharmacies can apply for the educational supervision training.
Regulatory changes in 2019 mean that experienced independent prescribers of any professional can apply for DPP training to support community pharmacists to become independent prescribers.
The programme will be delivered by ProPharmace Ltd and has been coordinated by the Pharmacy Integration Programme at NHS England.
David Webb, Chief Pharmaceutical Officer, NHS England said:
“This is part of NHS England’s strategy to increase access to prescribing supervision in community pharmacy and create a culture where existing pharmacist independent prescribers train to become Designated Prescribing Practitioners and Designated Supervisors as part of their career development. This is part of our work to ensure the NHS is ready to support and mentor the new workforce of pharmacist independent prescribers from 2026.”
Liz Fidler, Senior Professional Advisor Pharmacy Technician Practice, NHS England said:
“I am delighted that this programme will be supporting the expansion of Pharmacy Technician Education Supervisors. Education Supervisors, using their knowledge and skills, will enable us to support and train more pre and post-registration Pharmacy Technicians to develop their clinical roles and services, supporting reforms and building in sustainability for the future.”
Noma Al-Ahmad, Managing Director, ProPharmace, said:
“We are delighted to lead this significant educational programme to support the development of education supervision capability and capacity within the community pharmacy workforce. These programmes will provide an innovative approach to developing Educational Supervisors and Designated Prescribing Practitioners, considering individual learning needs and career aspirations. We are looking forward to supporting NHS England in achieving high quality supervision. We firmly believe that this initiative is a key priority for the transformation and upskilling of the community pharmacy workforce.
Sign up now for the educational supervisor training for the community pharmacy workforce on the ProPharmace website.
To find out more about NHS funded training for community pharmacy professionals visit the Community Pharmacy Training web page.
Take a look at all the press coverage for this exciting new programme
