Cluster page — primary care pharmacy
Supervision and clinical governance
The governance stack
Documents every ARRS clinical pharmacist post must have
- Scope of practice — signed by Clinical Director and named pharmacist, reviewed 6-monthly
- Designated clinical supervisor — named, GPhC-registered (if pharmacist) or GMC-registered (if GP)
- Supervision log — weekly to fortnightly entries, action points, sign-off
- Induction record against CPPE primary care pathway
- Indemnity confirmation — CNSGP via NHS Resolution for ARRS-funded clinical activity
- QA sampling protocol — quarterly review of consultations and prescribing against scope
- SEA participation record and prescribing safety alert closure log
- Personal development plan and revalidation CPD evidence
QA in practice
What good quality assurance sampling looks like
QA sampling is not a tick-box exercise. Quarterly, the supervisor selects a random sample of consultations and prescribing events (typically 10–15 per pharmacist per quarter) and reviews them against the scope of practice, RPS prescribing competency framework and PCN clinical protocols. Variance is fed back individually and aggregated for service-level learning.
- 10–15 consultations sampled per pharmacist per quarter
- Reviewed against scope, RPS prescribing competency framework, PCN SOPs
- Individual feedback within 7 days; aggregated themes shared at PCN clinical meeting
- Closed-loop: any scope gap triggers a CPD action and supervisor sign-off
Frequently asked questions
Supervision & governance — FAQs
Who can supervise a primary care clinical pharmacist?+
A designated clinical supervisor — typically a senior IP-qualified pharmacist with primary care experience, or a senior GP partner. The DES requires named supervision; ICBs increasingly expect a senior pharmacist supervisor specifically, with documented weekly or fortnightly contact.
How often is clinical supervision expected?+
Weekly during the first 6 months in post or in a new scope, then at minimum fortnightly with quarterly QA sampling. CPPE primary care pathway, GPhC standards and most ICB frameworks converge on this rhythm.
Is indemnity provided by NHS Resolution?+
Yes — clinical pharmacists working in ARRS-funded roles delivering NHS primary care activity are covered by the Clinical Negligence Scheme for General Practice (CNSGP). Private or out-of-scope activity needs separate cover. The PCN must hold a record of cover for every ARRS claimant.
What evidence does CQC inspect for clinical pharmacist activity?+
Scope of practice document, designated supervisor record, supervision log, QA sampling of consultations and prescribing, SEA contribution, prescribing safety alert closure, complaint handling, induction completion and CPD evidence per GPhC standards.
Talk to our Service Development team
30-minute discovery call. We'll show you how BCS maps to your PCN's specific priorities.