BUILDING CONFIDENCE, CAPABILITY AND


ASSURANCE The new enhanced pharmacist programme By Lisa Smith, Postgraduate Pharmacy Dean, NI Centre for Pharmacy Learning and Development


The transition from trainee to registered pharmacist is one of the most significant steps in a pharmacist’s professional journey. While initial education and training provides a safe foundation, newly qualified pharmacists continue to develop confidence, clinical judgement and professional identity as they take on greater responsibility and increasingly complex patient care.


To support this transition, NICPLD has introduced the new Enhanced Pharmacist Programme, a structured development pathway designed for pharmacists with independent prescribing annotation working in any sector of patient facing practice.


This programme provides an important mechanism for providing assurance to patients, employers and the wider health and social care system that pharmacists are developing against a recognised UK-wide professional curriculum.


What will pharmacists gain from taking part?


The programme combines formal learning with workplace-based development over an 18-month period. Participants commit to one dedicated learning and development day per month, during which they will take part in workshops and webinars designed to complement their day-to- day practice. These interactive sessions focus on applying knowledge in real-world situations and allow pharmacists to learn alongside their peers.


Alongside these structured learning opportunities, pharmacists complete workplace activities that demonstrate their development in patient care, prescribing, leadership, education and quality improvement. Evidence is captured within an ePortfolio and assessed against nationally recognised curriculum outcomes.


Supporting the transition into practice


For many newly registered pharmacists, the move into practice can feel challenging. Increased responsibility, clinical decision making and managing uncertainty are often cited as key areas where additional support is required.


The programme addresses this through supervision, regular learning opportunities and peer support networks. Supervisors, colleagues, employers, NICPLD tutors and NICPLD programme leads will provide guidance, feedback and encouragement throughout the programme, helping pharmacists learn from experience while maintaining patient safety. Small group learning and professional networking opportunities also help reduce professional isolation and foster a supportive learning culture.


Enhanced support for community pharmacy


NICPLD recognises that pharmacists working in community pharmacy can face particular challenges in accessing supervision.


To help address this, the programme includes access to peripatetic educational supervision support for community pharmacists, providing up to half a day per month of educational supervision for eligible participants where local supervision arrangements may be difficult to establish.


Supporting pharmacists as independent prescribers


As pharmacist independent prescribing becomes a routine expectation of the profession, developing safe and effective prescribers is increasingly important.


The programme supports pharmacists in the early stages of their prescribing careers by helping them broaden their scope of practice, strengthen clinical judgement and build confidence in prescribing decisions. Through supervised patient consultations, therapeutic management planning and structured reflection, participants develop and demonstrate their prescribing capability within a framework of robust supervision, governance and quality assurance.


A shared commitment to success


Success in the programme relies on a partnership between pharmacists, employers and supervisors in partnership with NICPLD.


• Pharmacists must actively seek feedback, reflect honestly on their daily practice, and leverage their mentors.


• Employers play a vital strategic role by safeguarding time for learning and facilitating workplace development opportunities.


• Supervisors and colleagues drive growth on the ground through observation, real-time feedback, and coaching.


Driving the transformation agenda


Ultimately, this programme is a defining investment in tomorrow’s workforce. By transforming practitioners into assured clinicians, autonomous prescribers, and drivers of service innovation, it equips the pharmacy profession to deliver the ambitions of the Health and Social Care NI Reset Plan.


Key deadlines and next steps


Ready to take the next step or enrol a member of your team?


Application Deadline November 25, 2026


Cohort Start Date January 13, 2027


Visit www.nicpld.org or contact the team directly at nicpld-postreg@qub.ac.uk for further details.


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