Pharmacy type
Community
Pharmacy context
COVID-19
Relevant standards
- 4.2 - Pharmacy services are managed and delivered safely and effectively
Why this is notable practice
With the increase in deliveries to people who need to pay for their prescriptions, the pharmacy has registered to be able to sell Prepayment Prescription Certificates. This has reduced cash payments to drivers making it safer for the pharmacy team and the people paying the NHS prescription levy. It has also saved people money.
How the pharmacy did this
The pharmacy had seen an increase in deliveries due to the COVID-19 pandemic. And it had identified more people using its services needed to pay the NHS prescription levy. The pharmacy had identified a lot of people it delivered to wanted to pay for prescriptions using cash which increased the risk of virus transmission. The pharmacy had considered options to support these people and realised that if people purchased prepayment certificates it would save them money and the number of cash payments would be reduced. The pharmacy recognised some people were struggling to fill in the online forms to apply for the certificates. In response to this it had registered to be able to sell the certificates. And supported people through providing guidance about the benefits of purchasing the certificate.
What difference this made to patients
People save money through purchasing a prepayment certificate. And risks associated with transferring the virus through handling money are greatly reduced.
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: