2014/15 pan-London planned commissioning position: maintain commissions at 55

1. PHARMACY TECHNICIANS 2014/15 pan-London planned commissioning position: maintain commissions at 55 Planning for this profession is led by Health Education North West London for the whole of London. Existing and raised issues Trainee pharmacy technicians have been under-recruited in recent years, with actual numbers at 50 of planned 55 commissions. Workforce data collected by NHS London from 2011 and 2012 was quite consistent, and showed a trend towards an oversupply of around 20%. In early 2013 the London Pharmacy Workforce Group raised concerns about the numbers commissioned and a predicted shortage of qualified pharmacy technicians. London Pharmacy Education and Training (LPET) data show the vacancy rate for pharmacy technicians across London was 8.4% overall on 31st May 2013, with a 4.3% 3 month vacancy rate (LPET staffing survey 2013). Community pharmacy is not fully covered by the current planning process, as workforce forecast data is collected only for the managed sector. HEE has instigated a project to collect community pharmacy workforce data; the outcomes of this work are expected in 2014. • Rationale for decision • The under-recruitment issue needs to be understood before any significant changes are made to commissions. Current data shows a reduction in demand over the next five years, though vacancies remain high. • Commissions should be maintained, and more detailed investigation into trainee recruitment and workforce needs to be conducted in 2014. • Decisions on numbers of trainee pharmacy technicians have historically been made using both NHS London (now HEE) workforce forecast information, and information on current state (staffing, vacancies, recruitment intentions, etc.) from LPET. The future methodology for using this information should be considered along with additional data regarding the community sector. 2.8% reduction in demand over 5 years