£9,000 to Mentor Pharmacist Prescribers with DPP Connect

Tara Humphrey
Jun 12
4 min read

Big changes are coming in 2025/26: every trainee pharmacist will need a Designated Prescribing Practitioner (DPP) to supervise their learning. However, there is currently a serious shortage of DPPs across the country.

This national shortfall is a challenge, but it also presents a major opportunity for Primary Care Networks (PCNs). By stepping up to mentor trainee pharmacists, PCNs can strengthen their pharmacy teams, support the development of future prescribers, and generate regular, sustainable income through services like DPP Connect.

Cross-sector DPP support is no longer optional, it’s fast becoming essential.

PCN leaders, this blog is for you if:

You want to discover more about how DPP Connect works
You want to know the criteria for becoming a Designated Prescribing Practitioner
You’re keen to explore how you can support trainee prescribers
You’re focused on developing your workforce while generating income for your PCN

What Is DPP Connect and How Does It Work?

DPP Connect, developed by Clinical Pharmacist Solutions, was created to solve a growing problem. Pharmacists training to become independent prescribers are struggling to find DPPs to supervise the required 90 hours of practical learning.

The Problem Is Worsened By:

No national funding
GPs under increasing time pressure
Lack of a standardised supervision model

Worryingly, DPP Connect found that some trainee pharmacists were paying up to £8,000–£9,000 for supervision, often through unregulated or unethical routes.

In response, DPP Connect created a transparent, ethical and standardised model. Here’s how it works.

How DPP Connect Works for PCNs

1. Register with DPP Connect

2. Receive Pre-Trained, Vetted Trainees

DPP Connect matches you with pharmacy students who are ready to contribute, not just observe.

3. 12-Day Placement

Students shadow for 2–3 days before gradually seeing patients under supervision. Their focus areas can include diabetes, hypertension, asthma and COPD.

4. Minimal Time Commitment

Prescribers spend approximately 40 minutes per day per student on review and feedback.

5. Earn £1,500 per Placement

Receive £1,500 per student, guaranteed regardless of outcome. There’s also the option to recruit high-performing trainees into permanent roles within your practice or PCN.

Addressing the Time and Capacity Barrier

Many practices want to support prescribers but worry about the extra workload. DPP Connect is designed to make participation as simple and time-efficient as possible:

Quality Assured: Trainees are trained, DBS-checked, insured, and prepared to contribute from day one.
Dedicated Training Coordinator: Handles all admin and paperwork so you can focus on mentoring.
Flexible Mentorship Models: Create the structure that works best for your practice. Common mentorships models include:

1️⃣ Integrated Model

Students see patients from your daily clinic list, saving time on history-taking. Designed to be time-neutral for busy GPs.

2️⃣ Shadow Model

Students work in the same room as the pharmacist DPP, allowing for immediate feedback and close support.

Workforce Development and Income Potential for PCNs

DPP Connect helps PCNs build their future pharmacy workforce while also creating a valuable income stream.

Each Prescriber Can:

Host 2 students per cohort
Take part in 3 cohorts per year
Earn up to £9,000 annually

Calculation: 2 students × 3 cohorts × £1,500 = £9,000 per DPP

Who Can Become a DPP?

To qualify as a DPP, a prescriber must:

Be a GP, nurse or pharmacist
Have a minimum of 3 years’ prescribing experience
Be able to provide around 40 minutes per day of supervision
Be willing to mentor and support trainee pharmacists

Payments are managed centrally by Clinical Pharmacist Solutions to ensure full transparency. Students never pay their DPP directly, removing any conflict of interest.

PCN-Wide Involvement and Benefits

PCNs can register all eligible prescribers within their network. Payments are made directly to the PCN, simplifying finances and scaling up potential impact.

“The entire PCN can register all their prescribers onto the network, and payments are made directly to the PCN.” – DPP Connect

This isn’t just a placement scheme, it can also act as a smart recruitment pipeline. PCNs can identify and hire pharmacists they’ve already assessed and trained, improving workforce retention.

Bridging Gaps in the Pharmacy Workforce

Many pharmacists, particularly those transitioning from community settings, lack independent prescribing qualifications or strong networks in primary care. DPP Connect provides a structured, quality-assured pathway to close this gap and integrate them into practice safely and effectively.

What Makes DPP Connect Different from competitors?

Guaranteed Payment Even if a student doesn’t complete sign-off, your practice still receives full payment.
Compliant and Safe All students are DBS-checked, insured, and meet CQC standards.
Administrative Support A dedicated training coordinator manages paperwork and handles any issues.
High-Calibre Trainees All students are pre-vetted, motivated, and ready to contribute to patient care.
Resolution Support If a student doesn’t meet learning goals, your coordinator helps manage next steps — reducing the burden on the practice.

A Win-Win Model for PCNs

DPP Connect allows prescribers to focus on mentoring rather than teaching from scratch. It’s also a ‘try-before-you-hire’ model, giving PCNs confidence in recruiting prescribers they’ve already supported.

The result?

✅ Better recruitment

✅ Stronger retention

✅ Enhanced service delivery

Final Thoughts

DPP Connect is a practical, ethical and proven solution to a national pharmacist training gap, and it works.

For PCNs, it’s a way to:

✅ Bring new income into the network

✅ Develop and recruit prescribing pharmacists

✅ Support patient care through structured placements

✅ Avoid the admin burden often tied to student supervision

“It sounds too good to be true, until you’ve done it. Then you realise it says what it does on the tin.” – DPP Connect

About Us

THC Primary Care is an award-winning healthcare consultancy specialising in Primary Care Network Management and the creator of the Business of Healthcare Podcast. We've supported more than 200 PCNs through interim management, training, and consultancy.

Our expertise spans project management and business development across both private and public sectors. Our work has been published in the London Journal of Primary Care, and we've authored over 250 blogs sharing insights about primary care networks.