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
The pharmacy is supporting people that are required to follow social distancing guidance during the COVID-19 pandemic. The pharmacy team is prioritising the home delivery service so that it is available for people that cannot leave their house and who don't have anyone that can collect their prescription for them.
How the pharmacy did this
When a person telephoned the pharmacy and asked for a home-delivery as they were in the ‘vulnerable group’ or were self-isolating they were asked whether they had a car and were able to collect the prescription from the pharmacy car park. Members of the pharmacy team stored the completed prescriptions aside for the people that had arranged to collect their own using this system. When a person arrived at the rear car park, they would telephone the pharmacy and give the details of the car that they had travelled in. A member of the pharmacy team would confirm the patient’s identity on the telephone and provide any counselling or pass on any information. The bag of medicines was then taken out to the car and left on the bonnet for the person to take once the member of staff had moved away and observed from a safe distance. This ensured social distancing was maintained.
What difference this made to patients
People can collect medicines from the pharmacy in a safe manner by being able to maintain social distancing rules, and this protects other people either visiting or working at 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: