Pharmacy Updates
on 1 November 2025

The Pharmacy Professionals Task Matrix

This was developed during a Surrey Heartlands Pharmacy Workforce Group focused meeting (June 2025) with representatives from several sectors across the ICS. It provides examples of tasks, including clinical activities, working under a Patient Group Directive (PGD) and administrative and collaborative tasks, that could be undertaken by various pharmacy professionals including pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.

The Pharmacy Professionals Task Matrix enables employers, managers and PCN educators to:

• understand the difference in roles of pharmacy professionals and the importance of pharmacy staffing skill mix,
• identify and potentially address gaps in pharmacy-related activities,
• recognise the limits of individual training and competence and
• provide opportunities for pharmacy workforce development.

Pharmacy Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) – Opportunities for Pharmacy Workforce Development

In addition to the current named pharmacy roles eligible to access ARRS funding, the following groups of pharmacy staff are also now eligible for access to ARRS funding, through the Direct Patient Care (DPC) category with the support of the local PCN and ICB.

• Pharmacy Technician Apprentices
• Pharmacy Technician Educational Supervisor (ES) Role
• Clinical Pharmacist Designated Supervisor (DS) and Designated Prescribing Practitioner Role (DPP)

These roles will be accessible via the ‘Direct Patient Contact (DPC)’ option. ARRS funding may be used for a DPP (or other supervisor) role, as long as the supervisory role is not already funded through another mechanism. For more information, click on Pharmacy ARRS Opportunities and FAQs.

Pharmacy technician development programme: Preparing for the future

NHS England and the Centre for Pharmacy Postgraduate Education (CPPE) are pleased to announce the launch of the “Pharmacy technician development programme: Preparing for the future”. 

About the training programme

 Preparing for the future is designed to build confidence and support pharmacy technicians to develop their skills to deliver a wider range of services, now and into the future.

Open to all pharmacy technicians, this flexible and supportive programme aims to support the development of clinical confidence, leadership skills, and professional practice. Participants will be supported throughout the programme by a dedicated education supervisor, and the programme is designed to offer a flexible, supportive learning experience, designed collaboratively with each pharmacy technician.

Delivered between October 2025 and March 2026, pharmacy technicians will engage in structured learning that enhances clinical, leadership, and decision-making skills. The programme will particularly focus on supporting pharmacy technicians to adapt to the evolving scope of practice, including recent changes to supervision legislation, the expansion of the Pharmacy First service, and the use of Patient Group Directions.

At the start of the programme, learners will work with their education supervisor to identify their individual development needs and will be supported thereafter to meet these, progressing at a pace that suits them.

Further information

 For more information and to apply for an NHS England funded place on this programme, visit the CPPE Website

• Please contact info@cppe.ac.uk with any further enquiries about this exciting training offer.

Visit our website to find out more about NHS England Pharmacy Workforce Training offers.

Trainee Pharmacists 2025/26 - Multi-sector Programme Resources for Training Sites

It is recommended that multi-sector programmes have Rotation Agreements between sites and with the trainee pharmacist respectively. Training site may consider using the Template Agreement for Multi-Sector Rotations available on the FTPP hub or an alternative template.

The Foundation Trainee Pharmacist: Multi-Sector Rotation Guide provides guidance for supervisors across all sectors, trainee pharmacists and other staff.   CPPE offer a number of sector-specific resources for trainee pharmacists including:

• Preparing for community pharmacy practice: CPPE
• Preparing to work in a primary care network or GP practice: CPPE
• Primary care essentials e-course: CPPE

Funding for Modules in the Master’s in Genomic Medicine

The National Genomics Education Programme (NHS England) have confirmed that funding applications are now open for the 2025/26 financial year for modules within the Master’s in Genomic Medicine framework. Funding is currently available for modules starting before 31 ^st March 2026.

Applicants can initially receive funding for up to four modules. Upon successful completion, you may apply for further funding – up to a total equivalent of 12 modules – to complete the full Master’s degree.

Full details on eligibility and how to apply can be found on the Genomics Education Programme website, and in the funding rules of each module. Please note that to be eligible, applicants must be working under an NHS contract in England and have the support of their line manager.

If you are aware of any eligible colleagues who may be interested, please encourage them to contact their chosen university as soon as possible so their details can be submitted for NHS England funding.

Further information on Genomics and Pharmacogenomics is found on the training hub pharmacy page: Genomic Medicine and Pharmacogenomics: Surrey Training Hub