As outlined in our previous news, HEE is reviewing how it configures a range of its functions. Pharmacy has been included within this and in February the London and South East Executive Group made the decision to move to a London and South East wide pharmacy team from September 2016.
How this impacts upon different groups of staff in training is set out below.
- Pre-registration pharmacists: they will be supported by one central London and South East pharmacy team.
- Pre-registration pharmacy technicians: there will be new provision as a result of the geography wide tendering process. Further detail is set out below.
- Accredited pharmacy technicians: this will be managed through the London and South East pharmacy team. Given the different models in play across London and the South East and the GPhC review of initial pharmacy technician training, this is envisaged to be a transitional arrangement and a full review of what is required in the longer term will take place during 2016/17.
- Foundation Pharmacists/ Advanced Practice training: There are different arrangements to support this between London and Kent, Surrey and Sussex and it will be another priority area for review in the next 12 months.
Another key priority in our first 12 months will be the roll out of quality management systems across London to support all HEE funded trainees. This will build upon the significant experience of quality management in Kent, Surrey and Sussex whilst at the same time reflecting the national HEE quality programme.
Further details on what the new team will look like, where it will be based and how to contact us will be made available in due course and within the next couple of months.
It is important to stress that during this period of change our absolute focus is on minimising the level of disruption to Trusts and trainees and to ensure that the quality of the trainee experience is not compromised. It is inevitable that there will be changes but we will endeavour to ensure that these are always planned, timely and well communicated.
Health Education England London and South East Pharmacy Workforce Group
The second meeting of the Pharmacy Workforce Group took place on February 23rd 2016. The group is now starting to think about priorities to take forward. Identified actions for the group before the next meeting are:
- Setting up a task and finish group to take forward the recommendations of the report into training needs of GP pharmacists out with the national pilot
- Scoping options for pharmacists to access independent prescribing training in London
- Validating the demand for pharmacy trainee numbers