The publication of new education and training standards for pharmacists, released by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) this week, has been welcomed by Health Education England (HEE) as a way to further bolster the skills and experience of the workforce.
The new GPhC Initial Education and Training standards set out the knowledge, skills, understanding and professional behaviours a student or trainee pharmacist must demonstrate to pass their initial education and training, and to join the professional register.
It also outlines the GPhC’s requirements for organisations providing initial education and training.
HEE is working with partners to provide a programme of new training to underpin the new standards. These changes will include the evolving of the current pre-registration year into a foundation year, with trainees receiving enhanced support.
Professor Wendy Reid, Medical Director and Director of Education and Quality, Health Education England, said: “We very much welcome the publication of the new standards, and are working closely with our partners and other stakeholders to achieve the aims of the new approach.
“The standards provide increased clarity for all, and we believe they will result in a pharmacy workforce better equipped to meet the needs of patients across all sectors of the health system.”
