CPPE has updated its Declaration of Competence framework so that it now covers all vaccination services, not just flu

Previously, there have been two separate Declaration of Competence (DoC) frameworks for vaccinations – the NHS seasonal influenza vaccination advanced service and for other locally commissioned immunisation services. These have now been merged, so that those providing the NHS service along with a locally commissioned influenza scheme can now complete a single DoC to cover all vaccination services.

Pharmacy professionals should revisit the DoC every two years, so those who have completed the practical training and DoC for the 2017-2018 influenza season may not need to complete the vaccination services DoC yet. As the new vaccination services DoC covers all vaccinations, the competency framework should be revisited and the statement of declaration re-signed whenever a service for a different vaccination is introduced.

Annual update

The requirement still remains for healthcare professionals to complete an annual update in addition to completing the DoC every two years. This can be self-directed learning rather than face-to-face training.

Pharmacy professionals should ensure that they are actively working towards the ‘Consultation skills for pharmacy practice: practice standards for England’, a core competence for the completion of any DoC.

Those who sign the statement of declaration for any DoC will be expected to have accessed the standards and associated learning, including CPPE’s ‘Consultation skills for pharmacy practice assessment’, within 12 months of signing.

Flu vaccination training requirements

The 2018 National Minimum Standards and Core Curriculum for Immunisation Training for Registered Healthcare Practitioners include a new requirement for supervised clinical practice following training.

Both the merged DoC and the statement of declaration have been amended to include a clause relating to supervision. PSNC has developed a ‘frequently asked questions’ web page relating to the supervision clause, which can be found on the PSNC website.

More information on the Declaration of Competence system can be found on the CPPE website. This includes ‘A guide to using the declaration of competence system’, which advises pharmacy professionals on how to work through the DoC process and meet the relevant competencies.