The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) has set out new recommendations for pre-registration tutors to address "variable quality" in training.

Tutors should induct pre-reg pharmacists on an agreed training plan, give them "regular constructive feedback" and take all reasonable steps to address their concerns, the GPhC said in guidance released yesterday (January 30). It also sets out a new recommendation for trainee technicians to have a dedicated supervisor.

The guidance comes as a result of input from an expert working group and focus groups involving pre-reg pharmacists and trainee technicians, which ran last year.

In October, C+D reported that some trainees were failing placements due to sub-standard training.

"This new guidance will help tutors to build their understanding of what they should be doing to help their trainees achieve their full potential," said GPhC chief executive Duncan Rudkin	More about pre-registration training Quality control of pre-reg tutors needed, pharmacists say GPhC to survey pharmacists about pre-reg training Two pre-reg students share their placement nightmares
	The GPhC stressed that all tutors, whether for pharmacists or technicians, must ensure they were fit to act as "professional role models".

Tutors should start by identifying their trainee's development needs and devising a training programme, which should be agreed by both parties, the regulator said. It called on tutors to give trainees "a range of opportunities" to demonstrate their competence and set realistic goals.

Trainees should expect regular feedback based on evidence and be able to discuss this with their tutor, the GPhC said.

The GPhC added that tutors should also act on any concerns raised by the trainee, either by discussing the issue, informing management or, in serious cases, raising it with the regulator.

GPhC chief executive Duncan Rudkin said the fresh guidance should improve training standards. "A trainee's relationship with their tutor is one of the most important professional relationships they will have in their entire career," he said. "This new guidance will help tutors to build their understanding of what they should be doing to help their trainees achieve their full potential." 

The GPhC said it would send out the guidance to all tutors, pharmacy owners and superintendents over the coming weeks.