GPhC launches consultation on revalidation

We have launched a consultation on proposals to introduce revalidation for pharmacy professionals. This is an important change to what pharmacists and pharmacy technicians must do each year to show that the trust in pharmacy professionals is well placed.

The proposals have been developed through three years of research and development done in collaboration with pharmacy professionals and involving members of the public. A pilot, which was independently evaluated, on the proposed changes was run in 2016 with over 1300 volunteers. 

Under the proposals, each year pharmacy professionals would be required to:

  • Make four records for CPD, rather than the current nine.
  • Record a peer discussion with someone who understands their work
  • Write a reflective account detailing how they meet one or more of the standards for pharmacy professionals using examples from their practice

Every year all registrants will be asked to submit their records, and GPhC will review a random sample and a targeted sample using revised criteria and an improved review process.

The GPhC is seeking views of everyone who may be affected by the proposals, including pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, employers and people using pharmacy services. The Council will then consider the feedback received and decide on the final approach. The GPhC then plans to introduce revalidation for pharmacy professionals in stages, beginning from 2018, with it coming fully into effect in early 2020.    

GPhC Chief Executive Duncan Rudkin said

“One of our core responsibilities as a regulator is ensuring that people using pharmacy services maintain their confidence in pharmacy professionals and revalidation for pharmacy professionals is an important step forward in achieving that. People’s expectations of pharmacy professionals are continuing to increase as they take on new roles and responsibilities. It is time now for us, alongside the professions, to consider what we can do differently to provide further assurance to the public that the trust they have in pharmacy is well placed.

“The evidence from our pilot and other research shows that the new approach makes better use of the time pharmacy professionals currently spend on recording CPD activities, by actively encouraging better reflection on their learning and practice and a greater focus on the benefits to the people using pharmacy services.”

 

Notes to editors

  • The consultation document can be found here
  • The consultation is open from 24 April 2017 – 17 July 2017
  • Revalidation models are currently used by other health professions including doctors, nurses and midwives. However the pharmacy professions are distinct from other professions and so the proposed framework is similar in name, but is fundamentally different in design so that it works well for pharmacy.
  • A minimum of 2.5% of registrants will be selected for review randomly each year. Targeted selection will also be made based on previous history of difficulty meeting requirements or late submission.