Providing access to a safe place through the Ask for ANI (action needed immediately) initiative

Pharmacy type

Community

Pharmacy context

This community pharmacy is on a main road leading from the city centre. The pharmacy’s main activities are dispensing NHS prescriptions and selling over-the-counter medicines. The pharmacy supplies some medicines in multi-compartment compliance packs to help people take their medicines. And it delivers medication to people’s homes. 

Relevant standards

• 1.8 - Children and vulnerable adults are safeguarded

Why this is notable practice

Pharmacy team members demonstrate a clear understanding of their role in safeguarding the safety and wellbeing of vulnerable adults. And they respond promptly and suitably when concerns arise.

How the pharmacy did this

The pharmacy team had completed safeguarding training and had received separate training on the Ask for ANI (action needed immediately) initiative. The pharmacy clearly displayed posters advertising the service on the front door and on the medicine counter along with leaflets for people to read and take away. The pharmacy manager had placed a summary of the steps to take when someone asked for ANI in the staff room and in the consultation room for the team to refer to. The team had responded in a competent and assured manner to a request from a person to use the ANI initiative. The person informed the team they were aware of the initiative after seeing the posters. And they had informed their friends of the availability of the service at the pharmacy.

What difference this made to patients

Vulnerable people know where to access a safe place when there is a risk to their safety and wellbeing. And pharmacy team members have the skills and knowledge to act quickly to ensure these people are kept safe.