Evidence submitted by the College of Pharmacy
Practice (WP 55)
I am writing on behalf of the College of Pharmacy
Practice to submit evidence to the above enquiry.
The College of Pharmacy Practice is an educational
charity and membership body established 25 years ago in order
to promote excellence in pharmacy practice. Membership is open
to all pharmacists registered in UK. Its main work consists of:
— assessing its members for progress
to the different grades of membership;
— accrediting courses, events and published
material as suitable to support pharmacists in their Continuing
Professional Development;
— accrediting basic training for pharmacy
support staff; and
— accrediting training and conducting
examinations for medical representatives in the pharmaceutical
industry.
We wish to comment on only two aspects of the
terms of reference:
1. RECENT POLICY
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Recent and proposed policy changes such as the
new contract for community pharmacy, the development of the Advanced
and Consultant Level Framework in hospital pharmacy, non-medical
prescribing and the Pharmacists with a Special Interest Project
all present both opportunities and challenges for the pharmacy
workforce.
2. CHANGING THE
ROLES AND
IMPROVING THE
SKILLS OF
EXISTING STAFF
We believe that pharmacists and their staff
already have much of the knowledge and skills necessary for these
new roles. However, there is a need for further training and the
assessment of knowledge and skills. At present this is done in
a variety of ways and personnel who move from one PCT to another
may find themselves having to repeat training or assessment in
their new location. This is wasteful of time and resources. We
have the experience to provide accreditation of training against
pre-determined competency frameworks to ensure recognition of
training throughout the UK. We also have a faculty structure which
can provide advice on development of competencies and a peer review
process for Continuing Professional Development.
We would be very happy to expand on this brief
statement in further oral or written evidence to the Committee.
Ian G Simpson
Chief Executive, College of Pharmacy Practice
16 March 2006
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