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 provides people with up-to-date information on its opening hours and changes to services. This also helps to reduce the number of telephone calls to the pharmacy.
How the pharmacy did this
The pharmacy had amended its opening hours. And displayed notices informing people of this. The superintendent pharmacist explained that the delayed opening time gave the team chance to clean the pharmacy thoroughly. But anyone presenting with urgent prescriptions such as antibiotics was allowed access as normal.
The pharmacy had produced a letter that the team placed in the bag of completed prescriptions. The letter provided people with key pieces of information about the pharmacy. For example, the letter advised people that prescriptions would be ready at the pharmacy three working days after they had been ordered. And if presenting at the pharmacy the letter asked people to follow the social distancing measures in place. The letter was regularly reviewed and updated. For example, it was used to inform people of the pharmacy’s opening hours over the Easter weekend. So, people receiving the letter could plan when to attend the pharmacy or decide if they needed to go to the pharmacy at all that weekend.
What difference this made to patients
The pharmacy provides people with up-to-date information on its opening hours and changes to services. This also helps to reduce the number of telephone calls 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: