A Note From Nicola – Independent Prescribing
Independent Prescribing (IP) Funded Courses Available to March 2027
Over the past year, I’ve been reflecting on how much our profession is changing – and how important it is that we, as pharmacists, feel confident, capable and ready for what comes next. For me, one of the most transformative steps in that journey was completing my five‑month Independent Prescribing (IP) course at the start of 2025 through Sheffield Hallam University.
It was a genuinely rewarding experience. The academic content was strong, but what really shaped my learning was the time I spent embedded in a GP practice. Working alongside a range of GPs and practice nurses gave me a completely different lens on patient care. I saw first‑hand how decisions are made, how pathways connect (and sometimes don’t), and how much happens outside the walls of general practice that we don’t always appreciate from a community pharmacy perspective.
Understanding referral routes, escalation points, and the wider system around primary care was a real eye‑opener. It broadened my clinical thinking and helped me appreciate the pressures and priorities of our colleagues across the system. That insight alone has made me a better leader and a more rounded pharmacist.
Another unexpected benefit was discovering new clinical resources that have quickly become part of my everyday practice. One of the most valuable was the Primary Care Dermatology Society (PCDS) website. This is a fantastic hub of diagnostic tools, pathways, and concise guidance for common skin conditions. It’s well worth exploring if you haven’t already: https://www.pcds.org.uk/.
Completing the IP course has left me feeling genuinely ready for the future, not because I now know everything (far from it!), but because it reminded me how adaptable and capable pharmacists are when we’re given the opportunity to grow. The profession is evolving quickly, and we need to be equipped to evolve with it.
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At CPWY, we’re planning a series of updates over the coming weeks to support anyone who is thinking about starting their own IP journey. Whether you’re already preparing your application, still weighing up your options, or simply curious about what the training involves, we want to help you feel informed, supported, and confident. See the document which details the steps to take if this is something you are interested in here: Independent Prescribing – West Yorkshire’s Call to Action.
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If my experience taught me anything, it’s that stepping into new clinical territory can be both challenging and energising, and it’s absolutely worth it.
So, let’s get started.
Nicola Goodberry Kenneally, Chief Executive Officer
Community Pharmacy West Yorkshire
