Health Education England (HEE) has launched its new education and training programme to support the 2019/20 cohort of pre-registration pharmacists.
The Interim Foundation Pharmacist programme (IFPP) will be a twelve month course starting from September 2020.
The fully-funded programme will support pharmacists in the early stages of their career through a structured work-based approach designed to embed a wide range of knowledge, skills and abilities into their practice. In turn, this will lead to pharmacists more confident in their clinical abilities and more adaptable in working across health and care sectors.
HEE introduced the scheme to help address limitations which had been identified with the current training pathway and, in particular, improve and enhance the clinical skills necessary to deliver safe and effective patient-centred care.
Professor Sheona MacLeod, Acting Director of Education and Quality and Executive Medical Director, said: "I am extremely pleased to be able to make this announcement which was part of HEE’s mandate from the DHSC last year. This foundation approach should ensure the capability of pharmacists to practise confidently within 21st century healthcare settings.
“It is key that we collaboratively and proactively support this cohort of trainees, to ensure they have a good experience of joining the profession in the coming months."
HEE will work with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) and system partners to build support around the current cohort of pre-registration pharmacists, helping to build the best possible future for both themselves and the wider pharmacy profession.
More information about the programme can be found here.
