The split is happening.  There will be a general mailing to all Technicians and Pharmacists from the GPhC soon.  The two main things to remember are that GPhC registration fees are due before 30th November 2010 and secondly the CPD requirements and records are carried over from the RPSGB system and will continue to be valid.

The main points from the G. Ph.C. mailing are as follows.

The GPhC will create a single register for all pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and pharmacy premises. This will replace the registers currently held by the RPSGB.

The GPhC will operate a rolling register for registrants. From 2011, renewal of registration will be due ten months after the date of initial entry.  Failure to complete the renewal process at the correct time could result in an entry expiring at the end of the twelve month registration period, meaning you are no longer entitled to practise.

• All GPhC registrants will be issued with a new, unique registration number that will differ from your current registration number.
• Existing registrants will receive renewal notices by 30 September 2010. Because there are no provisions for statutory reminders about unpaid fees, registrants will be removed from the register after 31 December 2010 – when your entry will have ceased to be valid – if you have not paid the renewal fee by that time.
• From 27 September 2010, certificates of registration with the RPSGB will cease to be valid.

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1. Newly registered pharmacists
2. 2010 LOCUM PHARMACIST PAY RATE SURVEY
3. New PLB stakeholder day 19.10.09

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Expectations will be high for the new board and the job of turning the Society from multiple controlled organisation to a truely pharmacist centered organisation will not be easy.

However, they will get my backing and support and I wish them every success in the coming months and years

Shaun Hockey B Pharm (Hons) MRPharmS
MD – PL-UK Recruitment Ltd

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1. New jobs on the job board
2. CPD
3. NHS APPROVED SUPPLIER

This is, without doubt, the most important election in the 150 plus years since the Society was established. I know that pharmacists can be apathetic about these things because the Society has been seen to be ineffectual for individual pharmacist and too biased towards pharmacy owners, particularly the multiples. I would agree.

However we have an opportunity to make a difference, so please vote. Click on the link below

http://beta.pharmacyplb.com/about-us/national-pharmacy-boards.asp

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2. New Edition of “Your Society”
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Presidents Welcome

Steve Churton gave an impassioned speech about the new PLB and about how the move to a devolved membership body and regulator marked the most important change to the profession of pharmacy in over 150 years. He explained that over the day he would try to give delegates a feel of the culture of the new PLB and the services that will be able to members..

He also mentioned that the name of the new body will be ……The Royal Pharmaceutical Society!!! Apparantly the members of the new body can decide to change post launch if they want to but a change of name would have meant more changes to the Royal Charter which could have delayed the launch which is due in April 2010.  A General Election called before May could delay it as the new body needs to be sanctioned in parliament.

CPD

One of the main advantages of the new body will be the support it will provide for CPD. The new PLB will not “police” CPD this will be done by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). I was actually sat next to the lady who has set the criteria for CPD at the GPhC and she said that the CPD needs to be relevant to your practice and will only count at CPD if you have identified a particular need to improve either practice or knowledge. Simply attending lots of CPPE courses doesn’t constitute CPD.

As has been previous publised, pharmacists will need to submit nine pieces of CPD each year (Or when requested by the GPhC.) The nine pieces should be spread throughout the year and go though the process:

Reflection/Planning/Action/Evaluation

Pharmacist will have six weeks to submit CPD when requested.

The new PLB will support pharmacists with their CPD by offering the www.uptodate.org.uk website for recording CPD, They will also offer to review five CPD entries free of charge to members before they are submitted to the GPhC AS it has been identified that many members are worried at CPD requirements and how CPD should be recorded.

Local Practice Forums

You may have seen in the PJ lately articles about the New Local Practice Forums (LPF) these will replace branches and regions over the next two years. One in West Yorkshire has been particularly successful. These are very much seen as key to the success of the new RPSGB and the driving force behind delivery of the services for the new body.

There will be about forty LPF’s in England, five in Wales and I think seven in Scotland. The geographical spread of each will be controlled by each LPF’s but it is envisioned that they will be based around Schools of pharmacy or larger teaching hospitals.

Information of advisory services, virtual networks and myth busting to follow on Friday.

Related posts:

1. New PLB stakeholder day part 2
2. Highlights from the GPhC pack
3. Confidence and professionalism.