Health Education South West works in partnership with University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust to manage and fund the Pharmacy Technician National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) programme. Trusts recruit trainees on to a two year, day release programme. Funding is devolved to the South West Medicines Information and Training Directorate for a contribution towards salary support, which is passed on to employing Trusts, and for college costs, National Vocational Qualification registration and certification fees.
Health Education South West also works with Somerset College of Art and Technology and the Learning and Skills Council to train Pharmacy Technicians under the Modern Apprenticeship Scheme.
Further information about both of these funding streams is available from Trevor Beswick, Director, South West Medicines Information and Training Directorate at University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust (trevor.beswick@ubht.nhs.uk).