Framework for diabetes pharmacists launched

By Editor
16th May 2018
Uncategorized

A framework to support the careers and practice of pharmacists caring for people with diabetes has been launched by the UK Clinical Pharmacy Association (UKCPA) Diabetes & Endocrinology Group.

The document, ‘An Integrated Career and Competency Framework for Pharmacists in Diabetes First edition 2018’, outlines capabilities required for pharmacists to deliver high-quality care in all settings.

It has been developed in response to the emerging role for which there is no single recognised qualification.

It supports the commissioning of appropriate levels of pharmacists to deliver diabetes services and provides a clear definition of the pharmacist roles – and their expected skills – within diabetes care.

This specialist competence framework sits alongside the Foundation Pharmacy Framework (FPF) and the Advanced Pharmacy Framework (APF) to develop specific competences in the specialty of diabetes.

It has been endorsed by Diabetes UK, TREND-UK, UKCPA and Primary Care Diabetes Society.

The framework was authored by Victoria Ruszala, Specialist Pharmacist Diabetes and Endocrinology at North Bristol NHS Trust, Philip Newland-Jones, Consultant Pharmacist in Diabetes and Endocrinology, University Hospitals Southampton NHS Foundation Trust and Sallianne Kavanagh, Lead Pharmacist for Diabetes and Endocrinology, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trustwith contributions from other members of the UKCPA specialist group and pharmacists from multiple sectors and stages of their careers.

Philip Newland-Jones said: “Diabetes is a new area of speciality for pharmacist practice, however the profession has been involved in some aspects of the care of people with diabetes for many years.

“To deliver care successfully and safely, pharmacists need to be clear about what competencies are required to deliver high-quality diabetes care in a patient-facing role and be able to demonstrate those skills. Furthermore, experienced pharmacists should be able to assess need and be innovative, and to evaluate and demonstrate that they achieve desired health outcomes.

“We expect this competence framework to help develop a portfolio that demonstrates specialist skills and knowledge and therefore meets the needs of both our professional society and specialised individuals.”

Writing in an accompanying editorial published by The Diabetes Times, fellow co-author Victoria Ruszala added: “The framework is launched at a time when new specialist roles are being developed, as well as increased focus on the skills and knowledge of pharmacists working in new sectors, such as GP practice pharmacists.

“Patients with diabetes require help from pharmacists in both primary and secondary care and at all stages of their disease management, so we felt it was essential that they received the best quality care by those who know what they are doing.

“We also wanted to support those who wished to develop knowledge and skills in the diabetes speciality in line with specialist nurses and doctors, to make pharmacists and integral part of the diabetes multi-disciplinary team.”

To access the framework, click here.

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