The BSol Pharmacy Faculty represents all of the pharmacy teams within the NHS BSol Integrated Care System (ICS).

Pharmacy is the third largest single workforce group in the NHS. We work within a variety of different sectors including community pharmacies, community-based clinics, GP practices, hospices, hospitals, the prison service and universities and colleges. 

The BSol Pharmacy Faculty’s mission is to work together to resolve local challenges, promote the role of pharmacy, and develop the workforce to provide best patient care to improve health outcomes in NHS BSol ICS using a 'one team' approach.

A word from the Faculty Chair

I am Dr Jeff Aston, Associate Chief Pharmacist -Clinical Services at University Hospitals Birmingham (UHB) NHS Foundation Trust. I am chair of the Birmingham and Solihull (BSol) Pharmacy Faculty which enables me to contribute to developing the profession of pharmacy across the healthcare system. I also have an honorary position at the University of Birmingham School of Pharmacy and thus enables me to get involved in research and teaching. 

Pharmacy is very varied and in BSol includes community pharmacy, hospital pharmacy, primary care pharmacy, prison pharmacy, academia, mental health and community healthcare. The key roles making up the pharmacy profession are pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and pharmacy assistants. As a profession we are excellent at connecting with each other and collaborating across the different sectors. We have strong links with the local colleges and universities which is further facilitated through the work of the Faculty.

The opportunities to support healthcare delivery are always expanding in pharmacy especially as from 2026 all pharmacists will be able to prescribe on qualification. In addition, from 2027 all pharmacy foundation training will be delivered across multiple sectors creating a more mobile team able to work in different areas of the profession. Along with the expanding numbers of consultant pharmacists in the system, expansion of services available through community pharmacy and expanding primary care based clinical roles there has never been a more exciting time to be a member of the pharmacy team.

You can watch our career videos to get a taste of what it is like to work in pharmacy in BSol here.

For more information, or to get involved with the pharmacy faculty, contact Sharon Coane, Project Lead or Jeff Aston, Chair: