Health and Health Science update - August 2021
An update on everything new within the Health and Heatlh Science sector.
Pharmacy
BTEC Principles and Practice for Pharmacy Technicians (Level 3)
Preparing for Unit 8 webinar on 4 October, 2021 - 4:30pm.
A webinar including Q&A session has been organised to support the delivery and assessment of Unit 8 as there has been a lot of questions on the recently released additional guidance.
Additional guidance for Unit 8 Assemble and Check Dispensed Medicines and Products (PDF 184KB)
The event is now live, please register below to book for free and share with your colleagues.
Opportunity for Senior Standards Verifier positions for Pharmacy and Health Science Sectors
We are currently recruiting for two positions, please see the details of both positions below and apply if you meet the requirements and please share these widely within your circles.
Senior Standards Verifier - Vocational Qualifications - Pharmacy
Extending BTEC Laboratory and Associated Technical Activities until August 2022
Further to feedback from centres we have made the decision to extend the following qualifications until August 2022 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
- Pearson Edexcel Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Laboratory and Associated Technical Activities
- Pearson Edexcel Level 4 NVQ Diploma in Laboratory and Associated Technical Activities.
As these qualifications are on the list for withdrawal of ESFA funding after 31 July 2022, it would be good to understand what funding you currently use, and a forecast of learner registrations for next three years. We would therefore be grateful if you could fill out the Funding for Level 3 NVQ in Laboratory and Associated Technical Activities form, which will provide us with information that we may be able to use when appealing the decision to withdraw ESFA funding.
We would like to thank you for your support in getting these qualifications extended.
Should you have any questions or queries about the delivery and withdrawal of these qualifications, please contact your Curriculum or Business Development Manager, or use the Pearson Support Portal.
Update on Level 2 and Level 4 Diploma in Healthcare Science
We have recently reviewed both Healthcare Science qualifications with the help of experts from the NHS, professional bodies and qualification providers. We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has been part of this review.
As a result of this review, we have updated the specifications for these qualifications, which are now available on our website.
Pearson BTEC Level 2 Diploma in Healthcare Science Issue 2Pearson BTEC Level 4 Diploma in Healthcare Science Issue 2
In addition to the updated specifications, the fees for both qualifications have increased since 1 August 2021:
- Level 2 Diploma on Healthcare Science is now £150
- Level 4 Diploma on Healthcare Science is now £210
There have been some major changes in both qualifications, where units have been added to reflect new specialisms such as 'Sleep'. Some existing units have been split to meet the needs of the sector, and some of these changes have also resulted in changes to the Guided Learning Hours (GLH) for the units. You can find all the changes listed at the start of the updated specification issues.
Issue 2 of these specifications must apply to any learners registering from 1 September 2021.
However, if you feel that the updated units reflect the role of the existing learners better, you can select any updated units from Issue 2 specification but you must ensure that the rules of combination and overall GLH continue to meet the qualification requirements.
To claim these updated units you will have to transfer the learners on EOL to the new qualification code and ensure that all evidence is mapped to the updated Assessment criteria for each unit in the updated specification (Issue 2). Any shortfall will need to be addressed with new evidence.
Although the specifications currently appear as full specifications, we have decided to split these into a condensed specification that contain only mandatory units and all the generic information. The optional units will be listed as individual units in numerical order under course materials section. This will help centres to download the units they need for individual learner, rather than the full specification.
For existing learners on the qualification, you will still be able to access Issue 1 of the specifications in the course materials section.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your Curriculum or Business Development Manager, or use the Pearson Support Portal.
ESFA update
From 26 August, 2021 employers and training providers will need to provide a unique email address for any new apprentices being added to the apprenticeship service - For more info: