Funding Updates for Foundation Pharmacist Training

Shared on behalf of NHSE

In January 2021, the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) published the revised Standards for the Initial Education and Training of Pharmacists.

NHS England is currently working to implement these reforms in England, with major changes happening in the 2025/26 foundation training year (previously known as the pre-registration training year).

As part of the changes, for the first time, in the 2025/26 training year, all foundation training sites will be required to meet the same quality standards, and NHS England is taking on new responsibilities, delegated by the GPhC, for the quality assurance of all foundation training sites.

As a result, to support provision of an equitable offer to all trainees, we are harmonising the funding available to all foundation training sites hosting a foundation trainee pharmacist (previously known as pre-reg pharmacist).

The level of funding for each site employing a foundation trainee pharmacist in the 2025/26 training year will be £26,500 per foundation trainee pharmacist.

This funding will be:

• Consistent across all sectors of practice and all regions of England
• A contribution to all costs of hosting a trainee, including supervision, administration and salary costs.

In addition, we will provide access to a consistent, funded training offer which will be available to all foundation trainee pharmacists across all sectors and regions.

For more information on the funding for the 2025/26 training year including Frequently Asked Questions, please visit the Implementing the Foundation Pharmacist Training Year 2025/26 page of our website, where you can also find a detailed update on the changes coming for the 2025/26 foundation training year, and the preparations that employers need to make ahead of this.

Alan Ryan – Deputy to the Interim Director of Operations and Oversight/Director of National Programmes, WT&E.

David Webb – Chief Pharmaceutical Officer for England