Help & support for Trainee Pharmacists

Sections on this page

Professional support

Throughout your foundation training, you may encounter situations where you feel the need for a bit of extra guidance and support. As a Royal College of Pharmacy (RCPharm) member, you can call or email the professional support service for expert advice on a wide range of topics.

As well as legal and ethical guidance, our Support Team can help with foundation-specific topics, including:

  • Professional development
  • Signposting to relevant information
  • Legal and ethical enquiries
  • Enquiries with day-to-day practice
  • Support with workplace issues
  • What to do if you’ve failed your registration assessment
  • Changes to the registration assessment
  • Information on pharmacy events
  • Resources for revision
  • Careers advice
  • Finding a mentor or being a mentor.

Peer Support

Throughout your foundation training year, you may find it beneficial to network with other trainee pharmacists, so that you can support and engage with one another about your training.

The RCPharm has an active presence on Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin, and has a Facebook Foundation trainee pharmacist group, as well as a Foundation trainee pharmacist discussion group embedded on the RCPharm website as a forum for members.

  • RCPharm Foundation Trainee Pharmacists on Facebook.
  • @rcpharm #YourRCPharm on X
  • Royal College of Pharmacy on LinkedIn.

Personal support

Pharmacist Support

Foundation training can be an exciting time, as you finally get to put your pharmacy knowledge to use helping patients and the public.

However, working and training full time whilst studying for the GPhC assessment does provide a unique set of challenges, and you may feel the need to talk to someone about this.

Pharmacist Support is an independent charity that provides help and assistance to trainee pharmacists and can aid you in overcoming problems such as:

  1. How to deal with workplace stress
  2. Dealing with conflict
  3. Employment advice for those experiencing problems with placements or designated tutors
  4. Financial assistance for those experiencing hardship
  5. Help and advice if you fail the foundation registration assessment
  6. Information on alternative career options for those who fail their third attempt.

Call 0808 168 2233 or visit www.pharmacistsupport.org

British Pharmaceutical Students Association

The British Pharmaceutical Students Association is the official student organisation of the Royal College of Pharmacy.

They provide representation to foundation trainee pharmacists regarding issues which concern them, through their dedicated graduate officer and executive. 

Membership of the BPSA provides you with access to their graduate publications, events, and also comes with free UKCPA membership which provides further clinical support and leadership.

Contact: