In 2019, Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board (CTM UHB) identified three goals to address workforce challenges in the primary care sector:
1\. Pilot multisector band 6 post-registration foundation pharmacist (PRFP) posts (specifically hospital-GP sector post in 2020 and a community pharmacy-GP sector post in 2021)
2\. Pilot a band 6 PRFP post based entirely in the GP practice sector in 2021
3\. Help workplace capacity issues - develop a training app using 'Pharmacy: Delivering a Healthier Wales' funding, so trainees can role-play complex medication reviews remotely.
Our objectives were to establish if the goals have positively impacted primary care workforce challenges. For the purposes of this report, a positive impact is defined as:
For goals 1 and 2:
- retention of staff trained in these band 6 roles in the primary care sector
- increased training capacity via band 6 pharmacists training band 5 trainees
For goal 3:
- An increase in knowledge after completing cases on the app
The band 6 pharmacists have remained in GP sector posts (two multisector posts with community pharmacy), and have contributed to training of foundation pharmacists, releasing senior pharmacists for more complex roles. Initial app testing is promising, showing an increase in knowledge. Further testing is needed.
In conclusion, PRFP posts help develop a competent GP workforce, and can still maintain staffing in other sectors; we aim to increase the number of these posts. Innovative ways of delivering training are needed, with the app having a positive start. Some of the training capacity issues have been addressed with these initiatives. Trainees also understand the benefits of being in multisector roles, in terms of having impact on the whole patient journey.
