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Pharmacy inspections

Inspection reports and learning from inspections

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Review of the pharmacy layout to support social distancing

Pharmacy type

Community

Pharmacy context

​COVID-19

Relevant standards

  • 1.1 - The risks associated with providing pharmacy services are identified and managed

Why this is notable practice

In order to support social distancing guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic the pharmacy team have reviewed the pharmacy layout so that people can stand more than two metres apart whilst they are in the pharmacy.

How the pharmacy did this

The pharmacy was in an old listed building which was very small. The shop floor was usually quite cramped with very narrow aisles. To create more space on the shop floor, the pharmacy team had removed the central gondola from the pharmacy. This allowed a line of tape to be put two metres from the counter and they displayed a notice that people should stand behind the line. The stock that had been removed from the gondola was put in to the stock room as it mostly consisted of non-essential items.

What difference this made to patients

Pharmacy team members are following social distancing guidelines to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. And it is clear to people that are using the pharmacy where they should stand whilst they wait to be served. This protects members of the public and the pharmacy staff.

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:

  1. 1.1 Risk management
  2. 1.2 Reviewing and monitoring the safety of services
  3. 4.2 Safe and effective service delivery
  4. 4.3 Sourcing and safe, secure management of medicines and devices
  5. 2.2 Staff skills and qualifications