Pharmacy professionals work as a part of general practice team to improve value and outcomes of medicines and consult with and treat patient directly. Click on the boxes to find out more.
Currently in primary care pharmacy professional’s roles and responsibilities are evolving hence becoming increasingly complex and diverse. This has enabled the profession to embrace new accountabilities and we training hub are here to provide training and support needed to make pharmacy professionals vital part of multidisciplinary team.
Pharmacy Careers
CPTH Clinical Pharmacist Ambassador
Jigar Raval
As CPTH Clinical Pharmacist Ambassador I am here to provide guidance and support not only to clinical pharmacists but also to practice managers/GPs in respective PCNs, promoting the successful integration of pharmacist in primary care. My role includes providing interdisciplinary leadership to facilitate training, resources, adequate staffing, as well as to prepare both clinical pharmacists and the providers they support, to expanded clinical pharmacists’ scopes of practice and capabilities.
I am looking forward to seeing you all at some point but in the meantime please do not hesitate to get in touch with me if you have any questions. Email: jigar.raval@nhs.net
General Practice Clinical Pharmacists (GPCP) Levels, Training and Development
The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Training Hub (Training Hub) are clear that investment in learning and development enables staff working in General Practice to reach their full potential and continuously improve performance.
If you are in a Pharmacy Professional role (Clinical Pharmacist or Pharmacy Technician) we have limited funding to support your professional development with a 75% contribution (capped at £250) towards training or qualifications.
Types of training and education
SHORT COURSES
The Training Hub commissions and delivers short courses that meet the strategic and operational needs of Primary Care. These courses are promoted via the Training Hub website and are available through the year. Frequency of training depends on the demand for that training. Individual learners can book onto these courses via the website if they meet the course criteria.
QUALIFICATIONS and OTHER TRAINING PROVIDERS
The Training Hub can support with the costs of qualification courses to support professional development through Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) or other professional bodies. The Training Hub recognises that it cannot predict all education and training requirements, therefore we can accommodate specific needs that are not met by the directly commissioned courses described above. Individual learners need to identify the course that meets their specific need. They need to apply to the Training Hub to secure funding and once confirmed can apply directly to course provider to secure a place on the course. See Process to Secure Funding.
Criteria for funding
To be eligible to be allocated funding, individual learners must:
- Be employed by a Cambridgeshire or Peterborough General Practice
- Ensure the course aligns with the needs of the Practice / Primary Care Network (PCN) and is relevant to their role
- Have approval of their line manager to attend the education or training
- Courses must be started by 1st March 2026
The Training Hub try to fund all education and training where it is clearly relevant to the individuals role. As there is limited funding available, applications will be reviewed on a first come basis.
Process to Secure Funding
- Identify the course you require.
- Complete an Application for Funding / Learning Contract and return to email: candptraininghub@nhs.net
- Once confirmation of funding allocation has been received, apply for the course to secure your place and invoice the training hub on receipt of payment for a contribution of 75% per person.
Upcoming Opportunities
We at training hub work very closely with Integrated care systems and Health Education England to run projects offering not only support to pharmacy professionals in their ongoing development but also to develop multifunctional pharmacy professionals of future.
Minor Illness training for Clinical Pharmacists (funded)
The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Training Hub have been able to source funding to support a limited number of Clinical Pharmacists with by funding minor illness training.
CPTH will fund the cost of the National Minor Illness Centre (NMIC) Clinical Skills course. The course costs £670 of which we will be able to reimburse on successful completion.
Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician (PTPT) Funding
This program provides an excellent opportunity to upskill existing staff or recruit new individuals to increase pharmacy technician work force in primary care who will work alongside MDT sharing their work load and contributing towards optimal patient care.
Summer Pharmacy Student Placements (SPSP)
This 6 week summer placement offers great opportunity to pharmacy students to spend some time in primary care, working very closely with different multidisciplinary teams and more importantly have an insight into role and responsibilities of clinical pharmacists.
Information & Links
NHS Workforce Expansion - Clinical Pharmacists in General Practice
Clinical pharmacists are increasingly working as part of general practice teams. They are highly qualified experts in medicines and can help people in a range of ways. This includes carrying out structured medication reviews for patients with ongoing health problems and improving patient safety, outcomes and value through a person-centred approach. Find out more on the NHS website.
Guide to Employing a Pharmacist
Having a pharmacist in GP practices means GPs can focus their skills where they are most needed. The PCPA guide to employing a Pharmacist in Primary Care includes a summary of what pharmacists can do, advice on the different methods of recruitment and sample job adverts and job descriptions.
BMA on Employing Clinical Pharmacists in General Practice
The BMA website publishes useful information for GPs on the functions and benefits of employing a Pharmacist in your GP practice.
Standards for initial education and training of pharmacists
On 12 November, the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) met and agreed the overall direction of the review of the standards for initial education and training of pharmacists. You can read more on the GPhC website.
HEE Pharmacy Careers Website
A UK wide resource for careers in Pharmacy including careers map, development pathways, case studies and resources for those interested in a career in Pharmacy.
If you are looking for something that’s not here, please let us know via the ‘Contact Us’ tab above or email candptraininghub@nhs.net