Preregistration training provision in Scotland revised
Funding and administrative arrangements for the provision of preregistration training in Scotland have been revised, the Scottish Executive Health Department announced
last week. From 2008–09 placements will be organised, administered and funded by NHS Education for Scotland (NES) Pharmacy and not locally via NHS boards.
The new scheme, to be called the NHS Pre-registration Pharmacist Scheme
(PRPS), has been developed to ensure that all preregistration trainees
funded by NHS Scotland receive the same opportunities and standard of
training. NES Pharmacy currently co-ordinates recruitment of hospital,
but not community, pharmacy trainees. An advisory committee will be formed
shortly to support the development and implementation of the PRPS.
Bill Scott, chief pharmaceutical officer for Scotland, told The Journal: “This
scheme is a step towards a more co-ordinated system to support preregistration
trainees and tutors in both the hospital and community sectors. It aims
to put a more comprehensive training package in place so that all trainees
are prepared to deliver the new community pharmacy contract and are aware
of changes in hospital practice. This will allow flexibility in terms
of organising cross-sector placements.”
The details of the scheme are still to be decided but it is expected
that NES Pharmacy will accredit all training places and tutors and provide
a full grant to cover salary and employers costs. Irrespective of the
sector in which they are placed, all trainees on the PRPS will receive
a salary based on Agenda for Change.
The SEHD has announced transitional financial arrangements for preregistration
training. The level of funding for 2006–07 community pharmacy placements
will be increased by £6,500 to £12,500 per currently funded
place. For 2007–08, recruitment processes will remain the same,
but, along with payment arrangements, will be administered by NES Pharmacy.
From 2008–09 the PRPS will be fully operational and funded by NES
Pharmacy.
This week’s cover story examines the inconsistencies in undergraduate
and preregistration training (see p369). |
The
Pharmaceutical Journal
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