This section details how the portfolios are assessed.

How long do I have to submit my portfolio if I am selected for "sampling"?

The Society will write out to you if you are asked to submit your portfolio.  You will normally have 28 days from receipt of the letter to make your portfolio available for assessment.  It is your responsibility to ensure that the portfolio arrives at the Society by the deadline.  If you are submitting an on-line portfolio, you will be asked to submit your portfolio on-line and the system will provide you with guidance on how to do this.

During this time, you will only be able to amend your portfolio for submission.  Any courses or work undertaken after 31 May deadline, will be counted in your next year's CPD portfolio.

When will I receive notification, if my portfolio does not meet the required standard?

All pharmacists who have been asked to submit their portfolios will be given feedback at different times of the year according to the assessment period stated on their selection letter.  It is anticipated that this will be two months after the assessment period on their selection letter.  For example if you receive a letter showing that your assessment period is October/November, you will be asked to submit your portfolio by 30 June, however you will not receive your feedback until the end of December.

If any of the portfolios fail to meet the required standard, the individual will be given a further 3 months from receipt of their feedback to submit the reassessment portfolio.  During this time, assistance and support will be given to the pharmacist to help them with recording their CPD.

If any of the portfolios need to be re-evaluated again, the individual will be given a further three months from receipt of their feedback to re-submit their portfolio for re-evaluation.  Again, during this time, assistance and help will be given to the pharmacist to help them with recording their CPD.

If your portfolio still does not meet the required standard, you will be referred to the CPD Committee who will then advise the Registrar.

How many portfolios will be assessed each year?

It is anticipated that all the pharmacists registered in Northern Ireland, will have their portfolio assessed over the next five years.  There will be two separate assessment periods; July/August and October/November. However the CPD year will still run from 1 June to 31 May. 

How likely it is that I will be asked for evidence of CPD compliance?

You should be prepared to be selected at random and be able to submit your portfolio.  You should ensure that you can provide evidence to substantiate your CPD.

What type of evidence should I keep?

The type of evidence that you should keep is handouts from courses that you have attended, notes that you have made on your selected topics - this could be from books, journals etc - , evidence that you have completed Distance Learning Courses or Compass Courses.  Your evidence should relate to the learning activity that you have completed.

How long should I keep my old portfolios for?

You should keep your old portfolios and evidence for 3 years.  If you are asked to submit your portfolio for assessment and it does not meet the required standard, you may be asked to submit your portfolios from the previous 3 years to provide evidence that you have been completing your CPD.  Failure to produce may result in referral to the CPD Committee.

Who will assess my evidence of CPD if I am "sampled"?

Your portfolio will be assessed by trained CPD Assessors who are all registered pharmacists.

The assessors will only be allocated a Portfolio ID; they will not have access to your name and address details.

All assessors will be required to sign a confidentiality clause and a Declaration of Interest.  Under the Declaration of Interest, any assessor who feels that they are unable to assess a portfolio must inform the Post-Registration Facilitator who will arrange alternative assessment.