Pharmacy type
Community
Pharmacy context
COVID-19
Relevant standards
- 1.1 - The risks associated with providing pharmacy services are identified and managed
Why this is notable practice
The pharmacy has carried out a risk assessment and is reviewing the frequency with which substance misuse clients access the pharmacy. It has done this with the support of the substance misuse service.
How the pharmacy did this
The pharmacy received a letter from the substance misuse service acknowledging that it might need to change the way people access substance misuse services. The changes aimed to reduce unnecessary visits to the pharmacy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, reducing the risk of spreading the disease.
The pharmacist used his personal knowledge to risk assess each person attending for substance misuse services. Most people were changed from a daily visit to three times a week. And some to only once a week. If the pharmacist didn’t know the person or if the person was identified as particularly vulnerable they were kept on the same regime. The changes were made in collaboration with the substance misuse team.
What difference this made to patients
People don’t need to visit the pharmacy so often. This reduces risks associated with spreading COVID-19 should a person become infected. And the risk assessment process identifies vulnerable people to help ensure they are safeguarded.
Highlighted standards
We have identified the standards most likely and least likely to be met in inspections, and highlighted examples of notable practice for each of these standards; to help everyone learn from others and to support continuous improvement: