1. Purpose
CoPED provides a forum for those responsible for the strategic oversight of pharmacy education and training across the four UK nations, recognising the different delivery models in each nation. It brings together UK NHS Pharmacy Deans to provide proactive leadership, discuss current issues, share best practice and exchange ideas and innovation. While not a statutory decision-making body, CoPED (UK) exercises system-wide influence through provision of expert advice, drawing on members’ expertise to support healthcare organisations in developing education and training policy and practice.
CoPED (UK) works closely with:
CoPED (UK) advises the four UK Departments of Health, through the Chief Pharmaceutical Officers, on matters relating to pre- and post-registration education and training and pharmacy workforce development. In doing so, it works with NHS England, Public Services Delivery Scotland (PSD Scotland), Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW), Northern Ireland Centre for Pharmacy Learning and Development (NICPLD), universities, commissioning bodies, healthcare providers, RCPharm, APTUK, GPhC and the UK Pharmacy Schools Council, as appropriate.
2. Background
Following reviews of pharmacy education across the four UK nations, a forum was established for those with responsibility for strategic workforce development in pharmacy. CoPED (UK) is that forum.
Similar UK-wide fora are in place for post-graduate medical deans (Conference of Postgraduate Medical Deans – COPMED), general practice educators (Conference of General Practice Education Directors – COGPED) and postgraduate dental deans and directors (Committee of Postgraduate Dental Deans and Directors – COPEDenD).
3. Scope
CoPED (UK) will:
4. Membership
Membership of CoPED (UK) includes:
| Name | Role & Organisation |
| Elen Jones | Pharmacy Dean (HEIW) |
| Laura Doyle | Associate Dean (HEIW) |
| Andrew Sturrock (Co-chair) | Director of Pharmacy (PSD Scotland) |
| Fiona Needleman | Associate Director of Pharmacy (PSD Scotland) |
| Lisa Smith | Postgraduate Pharmacy Dean (NICPLD) |
| Nick Haddington | Pharmacy Dean (NHSE – South West) |
| Jane Brown (Co-chair) | Pharmacy Dean (NHSE – North West) |
| David Gibson | Pharmacy Dean (NHSE – North East & Yorkshire) |
| Paul Duell | Pharmacy Dean (NHSE – East of England) |
| Atif Shamim | Pharmacy Dean (NHSE – London) |
| Leanne Clews | Pharmacy Dean (NHSE – Midlands) |
| Kat Hall | Pharmacy Dean (NHSE – South East) |
| Dalgeet Puaar (Chair of Pharmacy Technician Sub-group) | Education Reform Senior Programme Manager (National Pharmacy) and Professional Clinical Lead for the Pharmacy Technician Workforce, Training and Education (NHSE) |
Membership of CoPIn addition, representatives of other bodies with which CoPED (UK) works closely may be invited to participate in meetings, as appropriate. This may include, but is not limited to RCPharm, APTUK, GPhC, UKPPLAB, the Pharmacy Schools Council, and the Chairs of COPMeD, COGPED and COPEDenD.ED (UK) includes:
The Chair may invite additional attendees, observers or subject matter experts to meetings for specific items where their expertise would support the work. Such attendees will not be members of CoPED (UK).
Members are expected to attend meetings regularly and to contribute to the work of CoPED (UK). Where a member is unable to attend, they may nominate an appropriate deputy from their organisation, subject to the agreement of the Chair.
Members must declare any actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest relevant to the business of CoPED (UK). The Chair will determine any appropriate action. Members must also respect the confidentiality of papers and discussions where this is required.
CoPED (UK) has two Co-Chairs, elected every two years from among the Pharmacy Deans across the UK. One Co-Chair will be from PSD Scotland, HEIW or NICPLD, and the other will be from NHS England.
Secretariat support will be shared by the four countries on a rotational basis, depending on which country is hosting the meeting. The secretariat will support the administration of CoPED (UK), including arranging invitations and venues, circulating agendas and papers, recording key points and actions, and maintaining the action log and document record.
A meeting will be considered quorate when at least one representative from each of the four UK nations, or an agreed deputy, is present.
CoPED (UK) will hold two in-person meetings each year, in September and March. One meeting will be hosted in England and the other in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. To support travel, each in-person meeting will run over two days, starting at lunchtime on the first day and finishing at lunchtime on the second day. CoPED (UK) will also hold two virtual meetings each year between the in-person meetings.
Additional meetings may be arranged by the Chair where required to support delivery of the work programme or to respond to emerging issues.
5. Functions
CoPED (UK) provides a forum for Pharmacy Deans across the UK to share best practice, ideas and initiatives. This is supported through meetings and an active email forum, through which information is circulated, representatives are identified for meetings, and responses to requests for advice are developed.
Through CoPED (UK), Pharmacy Deans take responsibility for projects, specialist areas of work and liaison with other bodies. The Co-Chairs will co-ordinate this work and ensure a fair distribution of roles and responsibilities, taking account of available resources.
As an advisory forum, CoPED (UK) will normally operate by consensus. Where consensus cannot be reached, the differing views will be recorded and, where appropriate, escalated by the Chair to the relevant Chief Pharmaceutical Officers, Departments of Health or sponsoring organisations for consideration.
Specific Pharmacy Deans may be nominated to co-ordinate pieces of work or lead sub-groups, as required to deliver these Terms of Reference. Areas of work may include pharmacy technician training and apprenticeships, foundation training, newly qualified pharmacist training, advanced practice training, consultant practice training, workforce planning, revalidation, performance support, career frameworks and senior leadership.
CoPED (UK) may establish time-limited or standing sub-groups to progress specific areas of work. Each sub-group will have a clearly defined remit, lead, membership and reporting arrangements, and will report back to CoPED (UK) on progress, risks and recommendations.
Networking and relationship management are key elements of the role of the Co-Chairs. Together with CoPED (UK) representatives, they will ensure that members are kept informed of emerging issues and relevant activity through summary reports from meetings where CoPED (UK) is represented.
CoPED (UK) will provide advice, guidance, recommendations and other outputs, as appropriate, to support the development and implementation of pharmacy education and training across the four UK nations. The Chair will ensure that relevant outputs and escalations are communicated to the appropriate organisations and stakeholders.
These Terms of Reference will be reviewed at least every two years, or earlier if required, to ensure they remain current, accurate and aligned to the purpose and functions of CoPED (UK).
June 2026