Digital training and capabilities

See: Data security and information governance training

Pharmacy‑specific digital capabilities training

The Centre for Pharmacy Postgraduate Education has created a Digital healthcare learning gateway to help pharmacy teams grow their digital skills. It covers areas such as clinical informatics, health data, electronic patient records, cybersecurity and digital decision support tools.

This learning gateway is aligned with the Health and Care Digital Capabilities Framework. The flexible, interactive format means you can learn at your own pace while strengthening your ability to deliver safe, effective and person‑centred care in an increasingly digital NHS.

Learn more about the Digital healthcare learning gateway.

Health sector digital capabilities training and policy

The legacy but critical Topol Review – Preparing the healthcare workforce to deliver the digital future previously set out recommendations to help NHS staff make the most of technologies such as genomics, digital medicine, artificial intelligence and robotics. These recommendations support the NHS Ten-Year Health Plan and the workforce implementation plan. And the Topol Review related progress continues to be considered.

Non‑health‑specific digital capabilities training

• Digital Eagles (Barclays)
• Digital literacy training, including basic IT skills (Microsoft)

See the ‘Training’ section of Enhancing EPS or preparing for it.

NHS Digital Academy learning programmes accepts applications during April to May/June each year for courses beginning from September.

The Academy is a virtual organisation designed to support the next generation of digital leaders who can help drive digital transformation across the NHS. The syllabus includes modules on implementing change, user‑centred design, using data and digital leadership.

Applicants are expected to have:

• three to five years of relevant digital health experience;
• around up to three days each week available for study; and
• the support of a senior sponsor, such as their employer or organisation.

The first cohort of 100 delegates from across health and care began in 2018. Participants have included professionals leading digital change from both clinical backgrounds (including pharmacy) and non‑clinical roles. Several community pharmacists have taken part since the programme began.

Learn more about NHS England Academy:

• read the latest information at the NHS England Academy and applications webpage;
• consider speaking with a pharmacist who has completed the programme; and
• follow the NHS Digital Academy X account.

If you are a community pharmacist seeking more information (that is not available on the Academy webpages or from their team), please contact it@cpe.org.uk.

The Academy was established as part of the Digital Readiness Programme .

Our guidance:

• Webinar: ‘Making the most of social media’
• Communications, PR and media guidance page
• Social media page

• See the ‘Training’ section of Summary Care Record (SCR).

• (NHS training)

These organisations offer training and may be able to support future digital learning opportunities:

• Buttercups
• E‑learning modules (Training Matters for Professional Assistants)
• E‑learning for healthcare

Information about Royal Pharmaceutical Society accreditation is available here.