Pharmacist mental health training extended
By Gemma Raw
Health Education England (HEE) has agreed to fund the Specialist Mental Health Pharmacist Training Pathway for another two years, providing training places for up to 70 pharmacists per year.
Delivered in association with the University of Bradford, the specialist mental health training programme was originally launched in 2021, to support the aims of the NHS Long Term Plan and the NHS People Plan. The training is designed for those in new pharmacy jobs in multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) within new models of integrated primary and community mental health care – for adults and older adults with severe mental health problems.
“This extended training offer providing ongoing support for specialist mental health pharmacists working in new roles is a very positive and welcome development,” said Matthew Elswood, National Specialty Adviser for Mental Health Pharmacy at NHS England. “We have evaluated and improved the training to ensure our workforce has the best support available to meet the challenges of optimising use of medicines for people with severe and enduring mental illness.”
What does the training involve?
The training comprises a 12-month online distance learning programme to further develop pharmacists’ knowledge of medicines optimisation, initiation and personalisation, particularly relating to medication for patients with complex co-morbidities. It supports the journey to advanced level practice for pharmacists.
Each learner is paired with an Educational Supervisor who will help them complete their training needs analysis and develop a personalised learning plan, as well as providing support and guidance throughout the course. The expected structured learning time is 100 hours for 10 units.
Who is the training aimed at?
The training is designed for experienced pharmacists working in community mental health teams. Pharmacists who want to join the training pathway must be GPhC registered, employed by the NHS or an NHS-commissioned service, and already part of a Community/Primary Care Mental Health Team (CMHT), working with patients who have severe mental illness.
Developing the pharmacy workforce
Introducing new pharmacy jobs into mental health services, or expanding existing roles, forms a key part of HEE’s mental health programme and mandate. In 2020, HEE commissioned a Review of Innovative and Extended Roles within Mental Health Pharmacy. A variety of roles were identified, ranging from advanced specialist practitioner roles and pharmacy technicians running clozapine clinics, through to community pharmacy roles supporting physical healthcare monitoring.
One of the key recommendations of the report was that training programmes should be expanded to include access to training specific to perinatal mental health, liaison psychiatry and the management of mental health conditions as part of the NHS111/urgent care services.
Mental health guidance and information for pharmacists
The Mental Health Pharmacy community of practice on the NHS Future Collaboration workspace has been created for pharmacists working across the adult and older adult mental health sector. It brings together resources and information to support the delivery of the adult and older adults’ mental health programme.
If you'd like to take the next step in your pharmacy career, browse our current vacancies.
