I am on maternity leave?

If you are on maternity leave, CPD requirements do not apply to you whilst you are on maternity leave.  You must write to the Society advising them of the dates of your maternity leave and when you plan to return to work.  If you have a gap of longer than two years, you must submit a Personal Development Plan showing how you will meet your CPD requirements before returning to practice.  If you are on maternity leave and undertake work as a pharmacist (e.g. one day's locum or a "keeping in touch day") you will be deemed to be practising and would therefore not be exempt from your obligation to complete your 30 hours of CPD. For further information please contact the Post-registration Facilitator at cpd@psni.org.uk

I am on a career break/unemployed/travelling overseas?

CPD applies to you if you are registered as a practicing member with the Society in Northern Ireland.  The purpose of CPD is to maintain public confidence in pharmacists by ensuring that the pharmacists continually update their skills in order to give their patients the best possible treatment and care. 

I am retired but undertake a small amount of locum work?

CPD applies to all pharmacists on the register.  CPD requirements apply to you if you undertake any pharmacy work of any kind, irrespective of the number of hours you work.

The requirements are designed to ensure that you continue to maintain and develop technical knowledge and skills appropriate to your role.  It is the view of the Society that whether a pharmacist works full-time or part-time is not a relevant factor in the context of maintaining an acceptable level of knowledge and skills in order to retain the right to practise and to ensure the safety of the public.

I am working overseas and still registered with the Society in Northern Ireland?

If you register as an overseas member and are living in another country you do not have to undertake any CPD for the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland.  However if you come back to Northern Ireland and become a full member you will need to complete 30 hours of CPD.  If you are registered as an overseas member you are not eligible to practice here even if it is only for 1 day as a locum.

I am not currently on the register and wish to be restored?

If you leave the register and wish to be restored in the future, you should contact the Registrar for advice on the procedure.  In relation to CPD, you will be asked to complete a Personal Development Plan detailing proposed activities to meet your CPD requirements. 

I am registered with the Society but have not been practising?

If you are a pharmacist registered with the Society in Northern Ireland, you are still required to complete and keep records of your CPD.  The purpose of CPD is to maintain public confidence in pharmacists by ensuring that the pharmacists continually update their skills in order to give their patients the best possible treatment and care.

There is only one category of registration available in Northern Ireland.  If you leave the register and wish to be restored in the future, you should contact the Registrar for advice on the procedure. You will be asked to complete a Personal Development Plan detaling proposed activities to meet your CPD requirements.  

I am on long-term sick leave.  Does CPD apply to me?

Your approach to CPD will depend on your personal circumstances and whether and/or when you plan to return to work.

You should write to the Society, explaining your circumstances and provide medical evidence (letter from the hospital/consultant/documentation) and the dates of your illness.  You will also be asked to provide a copy of your previous year's portfolio.  Your situation will be referred to the CPD Committee for their recommendations.  The Society will respond to your enquiry within 14 days from the date of receipt of your letter. 

If I join the register half-way through the year, do I have to complete a full year's CPD?

It is the view of the Society that if you join the register for 6 to 12 months of the year, you will need to complete 30 hours of CPD.  If you join the register half-way through the year you will need to complete 15 hours of CPD.