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
In response to the COVID-19 outbreak the pharmacy has seen a large increase in the number of prescriptions that are being dispensed. There are also long queues outside the pharmacy whilst people wait for their prescriptions. The pharmacy team have identified the need to protect people that are in the vulnerable group by reducing their need to queue for a prescription that has been sent to the pharmacy electronically.
How the pharmacy did this
Due to an increase in the dispensing workload the pharmacy was closed from midday – 2pm to allow the pharmacy team to catch up on dispensing activity and to have a rest-break. People who were in the vulnerable group could telephone the pharmacy and book a collection slot between 1pm – 2pm. Slots were booked at five-minute intervals during this hour so that social distancing could be maintained. People either knocked on the pharmacy door at their collection time, or they telephoned the pharmacy and a member of staff took their prescription out to the car they were travelling in.
What difference this made to patients
People who are in the vulnerable group can collect their medicine from the pharmacy without needing to wait in a queue and this also reduces the amount of people that they come into contact with during their trip to the pharmacy.
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: