Local Healthcare Services Enhanced by New Independent Pharmacist Prescriber Course

With clinical practices facing a series of challenges, including staffing issues and an ever-increasing demand for healthcare services, the University of Lincoln, UK is launching a new Short Course in Independent Prescribing (IP) for pharmacists.

Caroline Needham and Dianne Ramm are joint Programme Leaders for the Prescribing Short Course and Caroline commented: “Pharmacists are already experts in medicines; doing a prescribing course is the next logical step if you are currently in, or want to move into, a role working directly with patients.

“Our new course here in the beautiful city of Lincoln is designed to build on your core knowledge as a pharmacist and to give you the skills to make safe, appropriate patient focussed changes to patients’ care.”

An independent prescriber is qualified to prescribe autonomously for any condition within their clinical competence. Many patients will be able to be capably treated by such pharmacists, hence reducing the strain on other healthcare provisions while providing the patient with a swifter service.

The Short Course received provisional accreditation via the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), the statutory regulator for qualified pharmacists, in January 2023. By being accredited against the new entry requirements, pharmacists are allowed to apply to complete their prescribing programme earlier in their careers than previously.

The course will be delivered over a six month period, excluding holidays, and include 90 hours of supervised clinical practice, in which students learn from their Designated Prescribing Professional (DPP) and other multidisciplinary prescribers. The aim of the programme is to equip pharmacists with the skills required to provide safe and appropriate prescribing decisions in conjunction with their patients, and thereby utilise their expertise in medicines more effectively.

It is anticipated that the IP Short Course will open for applications imminently, with the first cohort commencing their studies in October 2023.

For further information, please contact the Programme Team via email: pharmacy@lincoln.ac.uk or visit: Independent Prescribing for Pharmacists | PG Credit | University of Lincoln