The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 270 No 7245 p537
19 April 2003

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NHS workforce development confederations (www.wdc.nhs.uk)

Retail pharmacy staff now benefit from NHS funding

Community pharmacy staff in Surrey are benefiting from National Health Service training monies through a scheme funded by the local NHS workforce development confederation.

The scheme, called "learning accounts", allows NHS organisations to train staff who do not have a professional qualification with the aim of raising standards in all aspects of patient care. Gabby Clezy, pharmaceutical adviser, East Elmbridge & Mid Surrey Primary Care Trust, has persuaded her PCT to extend the scheme to include community pharmacy staff. "I felt that if the new NHS was serious about improving the service provided by independent contractors, eg, pharmacists, then we should provide direct support and encouragement," she said.

The PCT training department fully supported Ms Clezy's view and now eight applications for this type of funding (of up to £150 per applicant per year) have been approved. "The message that pharmacy staff are part of the team has been made clear," she added.

The types of courses being funded or partially funded through the scheme include Pharmacy Interact and Dispensary Assistant, courses run by the National Pharmaceutical Association, and the National Certificate (Science and Pharmacy).

"I encourage as many contractors as possible to apply for their staff members. Obviously there will be a limit on the numbers of learning accounts that we can offer but I would like to get as many staff on the scheme as possible." Ms Clezy pointed out that learning accounts are available from all workforce development confederations.