Independent Prescribing (IP)

New pilot: DPPs to support Community Pharmacist IP Trainees

We are looking for healthcare professionals to provide the Designated Prescribing Practitioner (DPPs) role to registered community pharmacists undertaking the independent prescribing course.

The aim is to increase numbers of DPPs in Nottinghamshire who can go on to support pharmacy Foundation Trainees from 2025/26. We are primarily looking for primary care pharmacists, but will take applications from any suitably qualified healthcare practitioner able to provide this training support.

There are 10 places on the pilot. There is financial compensation for the DPP role & the feedback from the experience.

Links below to express an interest in being a DPP, and also for community pharmacists looking for a DPP to support them through training.

Expression of interest to take part as a community pharmacy IP trainee

Expression of interest to take part as a DPP

Pathfinder sites

From September 2026, newly qualified pharmacists will be joining the pharmacy workforce ready to work as independent prescribers. To pave the way for this major change, 'pathfinder sites' will be set up in every region of England and consist of NHS-funded pharmacist prescribing services based in pre-existing community pharmacies. The sites will become "test beds" for a potential wider rollout of independent prescribing services via the community pharmacy contract in England. The pathfinder sites are to be the first independent prescribing service fully funded by NHS England.

More information about the IP Pathfinder site for Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Integrated Care System (ICS) coming soon.

Independent prescribing training

Eligibility criteria

In addition to this, to upskill the current workforce, almost 3,000 Independent prescribing training places will be available to pharmacists who meet the required eligibility criteria:

Community pharmacists (including locum pharmacists); Pharmacists employed in General Practice (who are not eligible for, or enrolled on, the Primary Care Pharmacy Education Programme (PCPEP) and those who are working to provide primary care services (e.g., working in primary care) who are not employed in ARRS roles); and Health and Justice pharmacists

Pharmacists enrolled on Centre for Pharmacy Postgraduate Education’s (CPPE) Primary Care Pharmacy Education Pathway (PCPEP) and meet the PCPEP criteria to enrol on an Independent Prescribing Course

Pharmacists working in an NHS Hospital Trust or Mental Health Trust (NHS managed sector); pharmacists working in an Integrated Care Board (ICB), (previously CCG pharmacists)

Eligible pharmacists will also need to demonstrate (as a minimum):

The support of an identified Designated Prescribing Practitioner (DPP)

An appropriate practice-based learning environment in a prescribing setting that can offer appropriate clinical support

Evidence that you meet the course provider eligibility criteria (applicants will be subject to their chosen university’s enrolment processes)

Commitment to use the skill within your area of competence and expertise, for the delivery of NHS clinical services as they emerge

If you would like to know more about the General Pharmaceutical Council’s eligibility criteria, please visit the GPhC website.

Course intake and application information

Courses are available with start date from April 2023 to March 2024, with several universities offering multiple dates for cohort intakes.

University providers are now taking applications. Don’t miss out – check your eligibility and apply now.

Eligible pharmacists may apply only to those universities as listed on NHS England's Independent Prescribing website (also provides more information on the training). Universities are listed by sector. Please note the available universities differ depending on the sector you work in.

As part of the application process, all learners will need to assure their chosen university meets the course requirements.

Course length and the number of face-to-face days required vary between universities. Please check the individual university webpages for further information on course format.

Designated Prescribing Practitioner (DPP)

A DPP is a healthcare professional in Great Britain or Northern Ireland with legal independent prescribing rights (an annotation or automatic right to prescribe) who will mentor and supervise the pharmacist during the period of learning in practice.

The role of DPP encompasses a range of healthcare professionals and includes Designated Medical Practitioners (DMP). The DPP must be suitably experienced and qualified to carry out this supervisory role and have demonstrated continuous professional development or revalidation relevant to this role. The personal characteristics, professional skills, knowledge, teaching and training required to be a DPP are described in the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s Competency Framework for Designated Prescribing Practitioners.

The responsibility is on the pharmacist to identify a suitable DPP.

If you are a prescriber and would like to become a DPP, please contact either Fatema at f.karimjee@nhs.net or Claire at clairepatel7@nhs.net.