Fitness to Practise & Standards
The Pharmaceutical Society NI describe fitness to practise as “a pharmacist’s suitability to be on the register without restrictions. This means: maintaining appropriate standards of proficiency ensuring they are of good health and good character, and are adhering to principles of good practice set out in the standards, guidance and advice issued by the Pharmaceutical Society NI.”
Reasons which may impair a pharmacist’s fitness to practise include ill-health, lack of the ability to competently practise as a pharmacist or findings of misconduct including convictions of a criminal offence.
It is important that pharmacy students should be aware that misdemeanours during the time that they are students will be taken into account at the time that they apply for pre-registration training. Applicants for pre-registration training must complete a trainee declaration which asks if the student has been subject to any sanction under Fitness to Practise procedures within their School. The trainee must also complete a health declaration confirming that they have no physical or mental health problems which may impair their ability to practise.
Schools are also obliged to inform the Regulator of any fitness to practise sanctions that have been issued to students during their time at university. Students will be subject to School Fitness to Practise procedures if they have breached the Standards for Pharmacy Professionals.
The Standards for Pharmacy Professionals are relevant to all pharmacy students while they are on their journey towards registration and practice. The standards explain the knowledge, attitudes and behaviours that will be expected of students and trainees if they apply to join the register.
Pharmacy students and trainees should consider the standards as they move closer to registration and professional practice, and should read them alongside other relevant documents that are provided by the School of Pharmacy.
There are nine standards on total and these are listed below.
Pharmacy professionals must:
The Standards for Pharmacy Professionals are published along with the Fitness to Practise Procedures. It is a requirement that the School of Pharmacy has Fitness to Practise procedures in place and if you do not abide by the Standards you will be subject to these procedures. Click here to download a full copy of the procedures from the General Pharmaceutical Council.
University Fitness to Practise Procedure
In relation to the previous section students must also be aware of the University Position regarding Fitness to Practise. You are advised that you must read the relevant Section of the University Calendar General Regulations.
Reasons which may impair a pharmacist’s fitness to practise include ill-health, lack of the ability to competently practise as a pharmacist or findings of misconduct including convictions of a criminal offence.
It is important that pharmacy students should be aware that misdemeanours during the time that they are students will be taken into account at the time that they apply for pre-registration training. Applicants for pre-registration training must complete a trainee declaration which asks if the student has been subject to any sanction under Fitness to Practise procedures within their School. The trainee must also complete a health declaration confirming that they have no physical or mental health problems which may impair their ability to practise.
Schools are also obliged to inform the Regulator of any fitness to practise sanctions that have been issued to students during their time at university. Students will be subject to School Fitness to Practise procedures if they have breached the Standards for Pharmacy Professionals.
The Standards for Pharmacy Professionals are relevant to all pharmacy students while they are on their journey towards registration and practice. The standards explain the knowledge, attitudes and behaviours that will be expected of students and trainees if they apply to join the register.
Pharmacy students and trainees should consider the standards as they move closer to registration and professional practice, and should read them alongside other relevant documents that are provided by the School of Pharmacy.
There are nine standards on total and these are listed below.
Pharmacy professionals must:
- provide person-centred care
- work in partnership with others
- communicate effectively
- maintain, develop and use their professional knowledge and skills
- use professional judgement
- behave in a professional manner
- respect and maintain the person’s confidentiality and privacy
- speak up when they have concerns or when things go wrong
- demonstrate leadership
The Standards for Pharmacy Professionals are published along with the Fitness to Practise Procedures. It is a requirement that the School of Pharmacy has Fitness to Practise procedures in place and if you do not abide by the Standards you will be subject to these procedures. Click here to download a full copy of the procedures from the General Pharmaceutical Council.
University Fitness to Practise Procedure
In relation to the previous section students must also be aware of the University Position regarding Fitness to Practise. You are advised that you must read the relevant Section of the University Calendar General Regulations.
