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The pharmacy is well-prepared for the launch of the new NHSE Pharmacy First service. And it assesses and addresses the risks and barriers to providing a safe and efficient service well. It works in partnership with local stakeholders to help the service run smoothly for the people using it.

There is a proactive and patient-centred approach to business continuity planning that ensures people have access to pharmacy services during periods of adverse weather. The pharmacy team proactively uses its pharmacist’s prescribing skills to help people access their medicines. And it engages well with other health care professionals and the local health board to help support people’s needs during an emergency.

The pharmacy has an effective system to identify and act on referrals from hospitals for the NHS Discharge Medicines Service (DMS). The pharmacy ensures the service is a core part of its daily activity. And its team make meaningful interventions through the service which benefit people recently discharged from hospital.

The pharmacy identifies opportunities to provide additional services for people. And it works proactively with GP surgeries to help seek the best outcomes for people in the local community. This helps reduce pressures on NHS services.

The pharmacy is working collaboratively with the local ‘Community Addiction Team’ CAT to provide continual access to Buvidal treatment, especially at short notice. The pharmacy communicates regularly with its wholesaler. This supports cost effective treatment and continuous access to the medicine. The pharmacy provides support and guidance to CATs, enabling them to strengthen governance arrangements associated with managing a Buvidal treatment service. And it identifies and manages the risks associated with the supply of Buvidal.

The pharmacy’s team members provide people with information on the risks of disposing of medicines inappropriately. And they inform people about the importance of returning unwanted medicines, including used inhalers, to the pharmacy for safe disposal.

The pharmacy does not always manage its high-risk controlled drug medicines as it should. It does not act appropriately when discovering a balance discrepancy within its controlled drug register. And it does not follow due process to investigate and account for the discrepancy. It does not identify the risks which come from this poor controlled drug management. And there is also an absence of shared learning to help prevent similar adverse events from happening again.

The pharmacy has effective processes for reviewing any mistakes it makes. And it takes action to prevent them from happening again. Team members reflect on whether the learning and improvements from previous reviews have been sustained. And they continue to look for new ways to improve the safety and effectiveness of the pharmacy’s services.

The pharmacy works proactively with GP surgeries to seek the best outcomes for people referred through the NHS GP Community Pharmacist Consultation Service (CPCS). Pharmacists apply their knowledge and expertise to assess whether a person would benefit most from an over-the-counter medicine or require a prescription medicine.

The pharmacy encourages the ongoing learning and development of its team members. Each member of the prescribing team undergoes regular competency checks to ensure they have the skills and knowledge to prescribe safely.