Clinical Pharmacist

Having a clinical pharmacist on the team can ease workload, reduce waiting times and improve effectiveness. In England, all GP practices in primary care networks can access funding to employ pharmacists.

Clinical pharmacists can help a GP practice in both clinical services and prescription management.

By employing clinical pharmacists, many practices have been able to:

• reduce waiting times for appointments
• increase access to healthcare
• improve screenings and diagnosis of chronic and common ailments
• reduce A&E admissions
• reduce the wastage and overuse of medicines.
• save GP locum costs.

There are approximately 50 clinical pharmacists working in primary care across Bath North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire CCG (BSW) and this figure is anticipated to rise over the next few years as part of the Clinical Pharmacists in General Practice scheme.

• The Primary Care Pharmacists Association have produced a useful guide for GPs considering employing a clinical pharmacist
• More information for pharmacists about working in a GP practice can be found here.
• Further information on career development in primary care can be found here

Is there any recruitment funding available to Primary Care Networks?

This is a role that is included in the Additional Roles Recruitment Scheme from April 2020. Primary Care Networks may therefore be able to access funding via the CCG to cover salary and on-costs. You can find out more about the scheme and workforce planning by contacting the GP Forward View Leads who work with the CCG’s Primary Care Team and by referring to the information in the links below:

• Update to the GP Contract Agreement – NHS England
• Network Contract DES Contract Specification – NHS England

Pharmacy Technician

The role of pharmacy technician is regulated and has developed significantly in recent years.

General practices have started to employ pharmacy technicians to help them with a range of tasks that vary in complexity from preparing the repeat prescriptions to undertaking prescribing audits and helping patients get the best outcomes from taking their medicines.

Pharmacy technicians can become an important member of the practice team and support practices in the following areas:

• Ensuring accurate records of medication following discharge from hospital and liaising with patients to help their understanding of any changes
• Releasing pharmacist and GP time by resolving medication queries with patients
• Acting as a point of contact with community pharmacies where usual medications are out of stock
• Looking for equivalent medication alternatives for patients with difficulty swallowing tablets
• Advising on cost- effective prescribing choices and avoiding medication waste

Pharmacy technicians may also give advice to patients on stopping smoking, and provide expertise on different treatment options for patients in a specialist area, such as mental health or general practice.

Career pathway

To practise in Great Britain, pharmacy technicians must be registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) and have satisfied the Council that it meets its detailed requirements. Registered pharmacy technicians have to keep their skills and knowledge up to date with annual continuing professional development (CPD).

Once qualified, many pharmacy technicians join the Association of Pharmacy Technicians (APTUK). The APTUK runs courses, conferences and seminars where pharmacy technicians can exchange ideas and update their skills.

Qualified and experienced pharmacy technicians can go on to study to become a pharmacist.

Training Opportunities

Training to become a pharmacy technician usually takes two years. It combines practical work experience with study, either at college or by distance learning. Courses cover:

• human physiology
• disease management
• actions and uses of medicine pharmacy manufacturing
• pharmacy law

There is now also a Pharmacy Technician Apprenticeship option available and further information can be found here.

Is there any recruitment funding available to Primary Care Networks?

This is also a role that is included in the Additional Roles Recruitment Scheme from April 2020. Primary Care Networks may therefore be able to access funding via the CCG to cover salary and on costs. You can find out more about the scheme and workforce planning by contacting the GP Forward View Leads who work with the CCG’s Primary Care Team and by referring to the information in the links below:

• https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/update-to-the-gp-contract-agreement-v2-updated.pdf
• https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/network-contract-des-specification-2023-24/
• https://www.pcpa.org.uk/assets/documents/Guide-for-GPs-considering-employing-pharmacist.pdf

Resources

Finding a Designated Prescribing Practitioner (DPP) and suitable learning environment

Independent Prescribing Provision 2022–23

Health Education England (HEE) can announce the outcome of the procurement for national Independent Prescriber training provision, for courses starting from Autumn 2022.

Almost 3,000 Independent prescribing courses will be available to pharmacists who meet the required eligibility criteria:

1. Community pharmacists (including locum pharmacists); Pharmacists employed in General Practice (who are not eligible for, or enrolled on, the Primary Care Pharmacy Education Programme (PCPEP) and those who are working to provide primary care services (e.g., working in primary care) who are not employed in ARRS roles); and Health and Justice pharmacists   
2. Pharmacists enrolled on CPPE’s Primary Care Pharmacy Education Pathway (PCPEP) and meet the PCPEP criteria to enrol on an Independent Prescribing Course
3. Pharmacists working in an NHS Hospital Trust or Mental Health Trust (NHS managed sector); pharmacists working in an integrated care board, ICB (previously CCG pharmacists)

Courses will be available from September 2022 to March 2023, with several universities offering multiple dates for cohort intakes. Cohort start dates will depend on the university provider.

University providers are now taking applications. Don’t miss out – check your eligibility and apply now.

Eligible pharmacists will also need to demonstrate (as a minimum):

• The support of an identified designated prescribing practitioner (DPP).
• An appropriate practice-based learning environment in a prescribing setting that can offer appropriate clinical support.
• Evidence that you meet the course provider eligibility criteria (applicants will be subject to their chosen university’s enrolment processes).
• Commitment to use the skill within your area of competence and expertise, for the delivery of NHS clinical services as they emerge.

If you would like to know more about the General Pharmaceutical Council’s eligibility criteria, please visit the GPhC website.

Eligible pharmacists may apply only to those universities as listed on our website. Universities are listed by sector. Please note the available universities differ depending on the sector you work in.

As part of the application process, all learners will need to assure their chosen university meets the course requirements.

Course length and the number of face-to-face days required vary between universities. Please check the individual university webpages for further information on course format.

Funding

Independent Prescribing (IP) training is available to pharmacists who meet the eligibility criteria. Tuition fees are fully funded by Health Education England (HEE).

For further information or for any queries, please contact pharmacyteam@hee.nhs.uk