Independent prescribers can learn how to supervise prescribing training through a funded programme launching in England next month.

There are 500 places available for pharmacy staff to train as Designated Prescribing Practitioners (DPPs), with a further 500 places to support other educational supervisors, including Designated Supervisors (DSs) and Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician education supervisors.

Any experienced prescriber from any profession and any healthcare setting can apply for the DPP training if they are supporting community pharmacists training as prescribers.

And both pharmacists and pharmacy technicians can apply for the DS and Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician education supervisor training.

The training aims to help ensure that there are enough independent prescribers (IPs) working in community pharmacy to support the next generation of IP trainees when prescribing becomes part of the pre-registration training curriculum over the next few years.

David Webb, chief pharmaceutical officer (CPhO) for England, said that the DPP training would help to ‘ensure the NHS is ready to support and mentor the new workforce of pharmacist independent prescribers from 2026’.

And he said that it was part of NHS England’s (NHSE) strategy to ‘increase access to prescribing supervision in community pharmacy and create a culture where existing pharmacist independent prescribers train to become Designated Prescribing Practitioners and Designated Supervisors as part of their career development’.

The training, fully funded by NHSE and run by ProPharmace, has been described as ‘flexible’, with 20-30 minute online modules offered to help fit around other work commitments.

Trainees can also undertake some of the modules in person if they wish to do so.

Supervisors will be trained in learning and teaching styles, giving effective feedback and assessing and monitoring the progress of their trainees.

Liz Fidler, senior professional advisor pharmacy technician practice at NHSE said that the training to support the expansion of Pharmacy Technician Education Supervisors would help support the training of more pre- and post-registration pharmacy technicians ‘to develop their clinical roles and services, supporting reforms and building in sustainability for the future’.

And Noma Al-Ahmad, managing director at ProPharmace, said that the training was ‘a key priority for the transformation and upskilling of the community pharmacy workforce’.

She added: ‘We are delighted to lead this significant educational programme to support the development of education supervision capability and capacity within the community pharmacy workforce.

‘These programmes will provide an innovative approach to developing educational supervisors and Designated Prescribing Practitioners, considering individual learning needs and career aspirations.

‘We are looking forward to supporting NHS England in achieving high quality supervision,’ she added.