Foundation Training
Foundation Training provides the opportunity for foundation trainee pharmacists to develop and demonstrate the skills, knowledge, understanding and professional behaviours to practise to the standards expected of a pharmacist.
Foundation Training is governed by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) as the Pharmacy regulator in Great Britain and all the information and resources of the GPhC Foundation Training Scheme can be found on the GPhC website https://www.pharmacyregulation.org/i-am-foundation-trainee.
Each employer has their own unique foundation training programme(s) approved by the GPhC aimed at enabling foundation trainee pharmacists to meet GPhC foundation training requirements and transition from a student to a registered healthcare professional. Variation exists in the programme(s) offered by employers with some foundation trainee pharmacists undertaking multi-sector training programmes with General Practice.
NHS England has developed resources for all foundation trainee pharmacists regardless of the sector in which they are training to support them during their foundation training.
For foundation trainee pharmacists undertaking NHS England commissioned foundation programmes in hospitals across London, a regional training programme to supplement practical workplace training and experience is provided.
Resources to enable training leads and supervisors to implement a short duration (taster) placement of less than 3 months in Community Pharmacy, Mental Health or Hospital pharmacy as part of their foundation programmes are available with suggested objectives, activities and templates to adapt to local training needs to support placement development.
National Resources
NHS England has developed the following resources for all foundation trainee pharmacists regardless of the sector in which they are training:
Assessment Strategy to assist foundation trainee pharmacists to demonstrate their competence against the GPhC foundation training learning outcomes and for their designated supervisor to assess whether they have met individual learning outcomes at the appropriate level.
E-portfolio to assist foundation trainee pharmacists and designated supervisors to record, manage and review evidence to demonstrate progress against the GPhC foundation training learning outcomes, supported by the national assessment strategy.
A curated set of Learning Resources mapped to the national assessment strategy available for foundation trainee pharmacists to utilise throughout their training to support their development and evidencing of individual GPhC foundation training learning outcomes.
Regional Programme
For foundation trainee pharmacists undertaking NHS England commissioned foundation programmes in hospitals across London, a regional training programme to supplement practical workplace training and experience is provided. Our programme aims to complement the national resources and practical experience foundation trainee pharmacists will gain within the workplace, and centres on three key areas: support with evidencing specific GPhC foundation training interim learning outcomes, support for sitting the GPhC registration assessment and support with preparing for practice as a newly qualified pharmacist.
There are four parts to the programme:
Induction to foundation training and our regional foundation trainee pharmacist programme
Online learning via our virtual learning environment
Online meetings and events to support learning and to provide opportunities for trainees to interact
Regional assessments to support workplace decision making about a trainee’s progress and performance throughout their foundation training aimed at identifying a trainee’s strengths and areas for development, so that learning can be tailored accordingly and gaps in knowledge and skills identified
Trainee Representatives
Hearing the views of foundation trainee pharmacists undertaking NHS England commissioned foundation programmes in hospitals across London is important to us so that we can improve and develop our regional foundation training programme.
We therefore appoint trainee representatives so that opinions from trainees can be heard. Trainee representatives are responsible for gathering feedback from their peers to pass on to us via our stakeholder programme board meetings.
Trainee representatives should have an enthusiastic outlook, well-developed organisational skills, the ability to communicate effectively and an interest in contributing to the improvement and development of training programmes.
Role of the Trainee Representative
The primary role of a Trainee Representative is to seek, collate and report the cohort's opinions as the "trainee voice" to the NHS England London Trainee Pharmacist Programme Board. Specific roles and responsibilities include:
Be a point of contact and represent the views of the trainees at Programme Board meetings.
Disseminate information and outcomes of the board meetings to all trainees in the area via the local trust trainee reps.
Highlight common themes and pertinent issues, following regular liaison with the trainees in your area, for inclusion on the programme board meeting agenda.
Attend and participate in NHS England Quality Monitoring visits to trusts/hospital sites offering the trainee perspective with the purpose of:
Ensuring standards for delivery of pharmacy education are being met.
Improving quality of education and training.
Identifying issues and good practice.
Highlighting concerns – (education only, not quality of service).
Attend and participate in any other NHS England business (i.e. working groups, recruitment/careers fairs) as deemed appropriate by NHS England.
Reviewing and offering a trainee perspective on written materials (e.g. trainee guides).
Key Skills required to be a Trainee Representative
The ability to communicate effectively, canvass opinion and give feedback where necessary.
To be comfortable contributing at meetings where senior personnel are in attendance.
An enthusiastic outlook and an interest in contributing to the improvement and development of the training programme.
Well-developed organisation skills and a proactive nature.
Approachable and supportive – the ability to listen to others and advise where appropriate.
The ability to understand others viewpoints and negotiate when required.
An interest in quality management processes and procedures.
The ability to take legible notes and to prepare written reports.
Benefits of being a Trainee Representative
You become the voice of your peers at regional level.
Networking potential with peers/wider members of the NHS England Pharmacy London team.
CV enhancement.
Involvement in other activities within NHS England (e.g. Quality Monitoring visits, education, review of regional documentation.
The fulfilment of making a real difference for your cohort and the shape of training for future trainees.
Trainee Support
It is recognised that during their foundation training, some foundation trainee pharmacists may require additional support or adjustments to their programme, to successfully complete their training. To facilitate this, NHS England has developed a Trainee Support Process, the details of which are included within a Trainee Support Guide.
In London, the Trainee Support Process is applicable for foundation trainee pharmacists undertaking NHS England commissioned foundation programmes (hospital employed foundation trainee pharmacists and those undertaking the national foundation trainee pharmacists in General Practice programme).
Foundation Training in General Practice
An NHS England funded multi-sector training programme enables foundation trainee pharmacists to undertake a three or six-month rotation in General Practice as part of their foundation training.
Further information is available on the webpage below
Resources to enable training leads and supervisors to implement a short duration (taster) placement of less than 3 months in General Practice is available with suggested objectives, activities, and templates to adapt to local training needs to support placement development.