Change is coming to how you recruit and train your trainee pharmacist for the foundation training year

(previously known as the pharmacist pre-registration training year).

In January 2021, the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) published the revised Standards for the Initial Education and Training of Pharmacists.

Since July 2021, pre-reg pharmacists are now referred to as ‘trainee pharmacists’, pre-reg tutors are now referred to as ‘ designated supervisors’ and the pre-reg year is now referred to as ‘ the foundation training year’ ,

As an employer, the way you recruit for your trainee pharmacist is changing. For the foundation training year 2025/2026, all trainee pharmacists must be recruited through the National Recruitment Scheme using Oriel. .

As part of our commitment to you, we have prepared some further information to help you prepare. Information applicable for England only.

Contents:

Latest webinar:

Initial Education and Training Pharmacist reforms 2025-2026- final update. Included in this update are the final updates regarding payment structures and key timelines. Also included are the details of your Regional Foundation Training Leads and Pharmacy Integration Leads (originally aired 23 November 2023)

Watch the rest in the series below.

Register:

Visit the Oriel portal or click here to register.

Recruitment for 2024/2025:

The recruitment for the foundation training year 2024/2025 remains unchanged. If you have chosen to follow the Oriel route, you would already have been made aware as to whether you have a trainee pharmacist. If you do not, you are still able to recruit through external means. This can include uploading and advertising your vacancy on the NPA webpage. In addition, you can speak directly with universities to circulate this information on your behalf.

Recruitment for 2025/2026

For the foundation training year 2025/2026, all trainee pharmacists must be recruited through the National Recruitment Scheme using Oriel. This scheme does not allow employers to select their prospective trainee pharmacist(s), and it is the only route to recruit a trainee pharmacist for the foundation training year 202025/2026.

Registration for the foundation training year 2025/2026 cohort opens on 11 January 2024 and will close at 23:59 on 1 March 2024.Those interested in supporting a trainee pharmacist will need to express an interest through the Oriel portal.

The NPA will have a dedicated webpage with tips on how on to successfully recruit a trainee pharmacist using Oriel to ensure you are provided with the support you need.

Designated prescribing practitioner (DPP):

For the foundation training year 2025/2026, trainee pharmacists will become independent prescribers upon qualification, as the designated supervisor (DS), you will need to ensure your trainee pharmacist has access to a DPP. This could be within your pharmacy or another sector.

As per the GPhC, trainees must complete 90 hours of learning focussed on developing and demonstrating the skills and capabilities of a prescribing practitioner.

Please note:

• The DPP can be the designated supervisor or someone else who works in conjunction with the designated supervisor
• The DPP does not have to be based in the primary training site where the trainee is employed
• The DPP does not have to directly supervise the trainee for the full 90 hours

Further information about access DPPs during the foundation training year 2025/2026, please visit the Implementing the Foundation Pharmacist Training Year 2025/26 page of the NHS England website. Here you can also find a detailed update on the changes coming for the 2025/2026 foundation training year, and the preparations that employers need to make ahead of this.

Please find some useful information prepared by the NPA team becoming a DPP.

Cross-sector:

We are already seeing a number of pharmacies reaching agreement with other sectors such as hospitals and GP surgeries to form cross-sector foundation training placements. Whilst this will not be mandatory in England for trainee pharmacist intake 2025/2026, you may find it useful to begin having conversations with colleagues in these sectors to gain an understanding on how you may be able to offer this to prospective trainees.

Payment:

This will now be through a tariff payment that is the same for all sectors of practice and across all regions in England. From 2025/2026, each training site employing a trainee pharmacist will have access to funding of £26,500 per trainee pharmacist.

As part of the changes, for the first time, in the 2025/2026 training year, all foundation training sites will be required to meet the same quality standards. Consequently,  NHS England is taking on new responsibilities as delegated by the GPhC for the quality assurance of these training sites. In addition, NHS England are harmonising the funding that is available to all foundation training sites that are hosting a trainee pharmacist.

This funding will now be through a tariff payment that is the same for all sectors of practice and across all regions in England. From 2025/2026, each training site employing a trainee pharmacist will have access to funding of £26,500 per trainee pharmacist.

This funding will be:

• Consistent across all sectors of practice and all regions of England
• A contribution to all costs of hosting a trainee, including supervision, administration and salary costs.

In addition, NHS England will provide access to a consistent, funded training offer which will be available to all trainee pharmacists across all sectors and regions.

For more information on the funding for the 2025/2026 training year including Frequently Asked Questions, please visit the Implementing the Foundation Pharmacist Training Year 2025/26 page of the NHS England website.

Selection process:

January 2024- March 2024

• You as the employer, express and register your interest in supporting a trainee pharmacist during their foundation training year.
• Employer registration opens on 11 January 2024 and will close 23:59 on 1 March 2024.
• Using the Oriel system, you will be advertising your pharmacy and training programme to highlight why a prospective trainee pharmacist should choose you.

June 2024

• The application process for eligible applicants opens and they will have to complete and submit an application form.

July 2024

• Preferencing process opens for applicants. This process is when students will choose and rank the programmes they are interested in. This will close 31 October 2024.

September 2024

• Applicants are invited to attend selection centre interviews.

November 2024

• Offers are released and these are based on the applicant’s interview scores and their preferences. Applicants can accept or reject their offer.

December 2024

• You as the employer will be told the outcome.

Watch the webinar series:

Regional contacts:

NHS England WT&E – For advice and information about planning foundation trainee pharmacist places

NHS England WT&E – For advice and information about independent prescribing course places for registered pharmacists and finding a DPP

Clinical placements:

Clinical placements allow you to build and develop relationships with pharmacy students which will form the bedrock for effective recruitment of trainee pharmacists and retention of pharmacists within the independent community pharmacy sector. By getting involved with clinical placements, you are giving students the opportunity to get to know you and your pharmacy team.

Clinical placements are a great opportunity for NPA members to play a key role in the formation of the new and future pharmacist workforce.

To express your interest by completing this form which will be shared with universities in England.

For further information about clinical placements and the changes that are to come for the foundation training year 2025/2026, please email Helga Mangion at independentsvoice@npa.co.uk.

We will continue to populate this webpage with some further information. For any specific questions please e-mail independentsvoice@npa.co.uk