Record number of pharmacists choosing to train in Wales

A record number of trainees have accepted pre-registration pharmacist training places in Wales this year, totalling 155 – an increase of 60% from 2019/20.

Following an extensive recruitment process 97% of the places available have been filled across health boards throughout Wales.  Recruitment for the pre-registration pharmacists was supported by the promotion of a #Train Work Live campaign and HEIW attendance at university careers events across the UK focusing on pharmacy students who were deciding where to undertake their pre-registration training.

Margaret Allan, Pharmacy Dean at Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) said

“I am delighted that undergraduate students across the UK have recognised the commitment in Wales to invest in pre-registration pharmacist training. The investment includes increasing numbers, but significantly will ensure a first class quality assured training experience across the patient care pathway.

“We want pharmacists to have the skills to provide the best patient care wherever they are seen and this programme will be the building blocks to meet the ambitions of “Pharmacy: Delivering a Healthier Wales”.

Health Minister, Vaughan Gething said: “This significant increase in pharmacy trainees for Wales is great news and a very encouraging start to our efforts to train more pharmacists. In Wales, pharmacists increasingly play an important role in providing advice and treatment in communities, GP practices and hospitals. This is a key part of our future vision for the NHS.

“We are investing an extra £3.6m in 2020/21 for training pharmacists and increasing training places, and plan to increase pharmacy training places to 200 by August 2023.

Students from England and Scotland have chosen to come to Wales to train alongside colleagues who have undertaken their initial training at Cardiff University and decided to continue their studies here, pre-registration training pharmacists work in a variety of sectors including hospitals, the community and within primary care.  This UK leading training programme will provide the platform for pharmacists to play an increasing role in the multi-disciplinary healthcare team by deploying their unique expertise in the safe and optimal use of medicines.