Have your say in the new consultation on standards for pharmacy professionals

14 April 2016

Last week we launched a major consultation on proposed new standards for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in Great Britain.   

We are proposing to reduce the number of standards from 57 to nine core standards that all pharmacy professionals will have to meet to ensure that patients and the public receive safe and effective care and to uphold public trust and confidence in pharmacy. 

We need to hear your views on these proposed standards. 

Please read the consultation document and respond via the online survey. The consultation will run for 12 weeks from 4 April to 27 June 2016.    

In his blog, Duncan explains why this consultation is so important

The standards promote professional decision-making and encourage pharmacy professionals to consider how they can provide person-centred care, whatever their area of practice.  Key changes to the standards and accompanying guidance include:

  • strengthening the standard and guidance about pharmacy professionals speaking up when they have concerns or when things go wrong.   Also making clear that when things do go wrong, they should say sorry, provide an explanation and set out to put things right
  • emphasising that empathy and compassion are a key part of acting professionally and providing safe and effective care

The consultation is asking for feedback on the new standards for pharmacy professionals.

Nigel Clarke, GPhC Chair said,  “These standards are at the heart of what it means to be a pharmacy professional and set out what we believe pharmacy professionals need to do to help people to maintain and improve their health and wellbeing. This includes emphasising the need to provide person-centred care, focusing on the individual person, their needs and what matters to them.

“It is important that individual pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and members of the public read the proposed standards and let us know if they agree with our approach.”

We’ll be speaking to pharmacy and health professionals, patients and the public, students, educators and others in a series of events across Great Britain to raise awareness and gather feedback.  

You will be able to watch some of these events via Periscope or our YouTube channel and we encourage you to tune in, learn more and have your say. You can find out more about the events taking place here. We need to hear from you.

Keep an eye on your Twitter feed - #ProfStandards - to find out more about what’s happening during the consultation and how you can get involved.