The NHS LSF is a supplementary fund for healthcare students studying in England* to, ‘support students in the study of elements of healthcare courses necessary in gaining professional registration and to help promote diversity in the workforce, and otherwise to help secure a continued workforce supply in future years.’
Thirteen allied healthcare professional courses are included in the scope of the NHS LSF, which includes a non-income assessed training grant of £5,000 per academic year, parental support, and travel and accommodation expenses.
Despite the vital role of pharmacists in healthcare services across the NHS, pharmacy students do not receive the same funding as other allied healthcare professionals.
Pharmacy students deserve to be supported whilst they train and gain professional registration in line with the support available for other future healthcare professionals.
PDA Student Reps are calling on all pharmacy students, trainees, and pharmacists in England to write to their MP and ask them to petition for pharmacy students to be included in the NHS LSF.
Support MPharm students and advocate for pharmacy by joining the campaign
It’s part of an MP’s job to listen to the people who live in the area they represent, and it’s an easy and effective way to make your voice heard.
We’ve made it even easier by creating a “Write to your MP” tool so you can quickly find your MP’s email address and use our template email which raises the issue to your MP to save you some time.
Only have 5 minutes?
Those who only have a few minutes to support the campaign can use the quick ‘Write to your MP’ tool. The letter has already been written, all that is needed is to put in a postcode and enter some information like full name and email address. Click here to access the quick tool.
Do you have 10 minutes?
Those who have a bit more time can use the longer tool which includes a few more reasons why MPharm students should be included in the NHS LSF and a section to add personal reasons for supporting the campaign. Click here to access the long tool.
The PDA and PDA Student Reps would like to thank all who get involved in this campaign for their support.
*Students studying in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are not included in the NHS Learning Support Fund. PDA officials are ascertaining the situation in the devolved nations, and whether this campaign can be extended.
Learn more
Not yet a PDA member?
If you have not yet joined the PDA, we encourage you to join today and ask your colleagues to do the same.
Membership is FREE to pharmacy students, trainee pharmacists, and for the first three months of being newly qualified.
Read about our key member benefits here.