A mental health training pilot for pharmacists launched by Health Education England is accepting applications.

The 12-month scheme, which starts this spring, offers 50 pre-funded places and is aimed at pharmacists working in community or primary care mental health teams. The course, which covers 10 modules, will assess pharmacists’ physical and mental health knowledge and provide medicines management support.

HEE said the pilot will support "the journey to advanced level practice for pharmacists". Applications close on April 8.

Other entry requirements for pharmacists includes working with patients with severe mental illness, those employed within the NHS or through an NHS-commissioned mental health service and a written declaration of support from their line manager.

HEE has partnered with NHS England and Improvement and the University of Bradford to provide the training as part of its Mental Health Implementation Plan which seeks to increase pharmacists specialising in mental health by 280 in the community by 2023/24.

HEE said one in four adults and one in 10 children experience mental health issues and warned there is “an urgent need to improve the physical health and healthcare of people with mental health problems.”

It also said people with "severe and prolonged mental health problems are at risk of dying on average 15 to 20 years earlier than the general population".