Leadership hub: Advanced and Consultant Credentialling

The Department of Health has published both A Guide to Developing the Role of Advanced Practice Pharmacists in Northern Ireland and A Guide to Developing the role of Consultant Pharmacists in Northern Ireland. These documents set out a strategic vision for the development of advanced and consultant pharmacist practice in Northern Ireland, underpinned by Royal College of Pharmacy credentialling.

To support this vision, NICPLD is developing an Advanced Practice Credentialling Pathway for implementation from 2028. The pathway will provide pharmacists with a structured route to demonstrate advanced-level capabilities through portfolio development and credentialling. This will support recognition of expertise, career progression and workforce development across all sectors of pharmacy practice.

Consultant Pharmacists are expert practitioners who provide leadership across the four pillars of clinical practice, leadership, education and research. They lead service development, support medicines optimisation, drive innovation and influence practice across organisational and system boundaries.

The Guide to Developing the Role of Consultant Pharmacists in Northern Ireland recommends adoption of the Royal College of Pharmacy consultant credentialling and post-approval processes within Northern Ireland. It also identifies an important role for NICPLD in developing education, mentoring and leadership pathways to support pharmacists progressing towards consultant-level practice.

In April 2026, Joanne Brown and Jaquie Hanley were appointed as Royal College of Pharmacy Credentialing experts for Northern Ireland. This new role has been developed across the UK to actively promote the value of RCPharm credentialing and to support its integration at a local and regional level. Joanne and Jaquie will be working with stakeholders to understand and support the development of RCPharm credentialing in Northern Ireland, at advanced and consultant levels. Both have successfully completed the RCPharm consultant credentialing process. They can be contacted at credentialing@rcpharm.org, please add FAO NI credentialing experts in the subject line so this can be directed appropriately.

Further Information

For advice on credentialling in Northern Ireland, pharmacists can contact the Royal College of Pharmacy Credentialing Experts at credentialing@rcpharm.org. Please include "FAO NI Credentialing Experts" in the subject line to ensure your enquiry is directed appropriately.

Further information on Advanced Practice and credentialling pathways is available within the Advanced Practice section of the NICPLD website.

Pharmacists seeking guidance on advanced practice development, credentialling opportunities, or progression towards consultant-level practice are also encouraged to contact NICPLD for further information and support.