The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 270 No 7239 p347
8 March 2003

Society summary

CPD roll-out completed in north-west

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society is in the process of completing the roll-out of its continuing professional development programme to pharmacists in the north-west of England.

Copies of the Society's CPD pack are now being despatched to pharmacists in the final nine branches in the north-west — Liverpool, Wirral, Sefton, North East Lancashire, Central Lancashire, Lancaster, South Cumbria, East Cumberland and West Cumberland.

Pharmacists in those branches (other than those paying the reduced retention fee for pharmacists over 60 who are no longer working) should shortly receive a pack containing an 18-page CPD guide entitled "Plan & record", plus an online user guide and a CD-ROM for those who intend to record their development electronically. The pack also contains a Centre for Pharmacy Postgraduate Education videotape entitled "CPD: your next move" and an invitation to take part in CPD workshops.

Pharmacists anywhere in the north-west who have not received a CPD pack by 15 March should contact the Society's education division (tel 020 7572 2540; e-mail cpd@rpsgb.org.uk), as should preregistration tutors and tutor managers who are still waiting for a pack.

Tutors and tutor managers in Wales have not been sent the CPPE video with their CPD packs. They should receive a copy by alternative means during the roll-out of CPD to all pharmacists in Wales, which is now due to take place in May.

Pharmacists who are not yet part of the roll-out can learn the basics of pharmacy CPD from the Society's 30-minute video, "Introducing CPD", which was sent in October to all members other than those who pay the over-60 reduced fee (PJ, 5 October 2002, p478). They can also download the "Plan & record" from the CPD section of the Society's website, along with several fact sheets answering frequently asked questions about CPD. Those without internet access can borrow the "Plan & record" from the Society's library.