Pharmacy type
Community
Pharmacy context
COVID-19
Relevant standards
- 4.1 - The pharmacy services provided are accessible to patients and the public
Why this is notable practice
The pharmacy risk assesses the delivery of all of its services. It does this to ensure it delivers its existing services safely and effectively, while also delivering a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccination service.
How the pharmacy did this
The pharmacy was providing a COVID-19 vaccination service at its registered premises. The team had completed risk assessments for the existing pharmacy services as well as the vaccination service. It had done this to ensure the vaccination service could be delivered safely and effectively without compromising access to existing services.
The team had identified that people were not always sure where to queue for the particular service they required. And, it had recognised that it should organise the flow of people better to keep everyone socially distanced and safe. The team had considered the patient journey for each service. It placed barriers at the entrance of the pharmacy and had attached colour coded markers onto the floor. The barriers and floor markers were placed to separate people, and to direct them to queue for either the regular services or the vaccination service. This had effectively kept people socially distanced whilst visiting the pharmacy. And it had improved accessibility for all services.
What difference this made to patients
People can easily access the service they require. And they can do this while following social distancing rules designed to keep people safe.
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: