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 focussing on providing services to the local population. And it has adapted its working processes and staff rota to do this. It is working proactively with other healthcare organisations to support people.
How the pharmacy did this
The pharmacy had extended its opening hours to be open from 08:00-17:30 seven days a week. It had shared these details with the local NHS team. And the new opening hours were advertised on www.nhs.uk. The pharmacy management team had also considered the impact of closing its doors to the public across the Easter bank holidays. And so, had taken the decision to remain open.
The pharmacy had split its staffing rota into two separate teams. Each team consisted of one to two pharmacists, delivery drivers and support staff. One team worked three days each week. And other team worked four days each week. This meant team members had more space to work and had good periods of rest to support their own health and wellbeing. It supported the pharmacy’s new, longer opening hours well. And the pharmacy had considered its contingency arrangements should a pharmacist need to self-isolate. The pharmacy had also employed two additional drivers to support it in managing an increased demand for its prescription delivery service. It also meant less people needed to attend the pharmacy in person.
The pharmacy was also working with a number of other healthcare organisations proactively. It had organised for two dental practices to scan and securely email copies of prescriptions to the pharmacy directly. The dentist then posted the original prescription through the letter box when the pharmacy closed. This supported people in accessing treatment for dental emergencies in a timely manner.
One of the pharmacist’s was an experienced independent prescriber and working part-time as a surgery pharmacist. He had been granted secure access to the town’s GP clinical systems in order to better support people with queries during this time. And the pharmacist explained how this allowed him to review a person’s medical record with their consent. And leave a written record of any action he had taken to support the person’s query on the medical record.
What difference this made to patients
The pharmacy’s dedicated team are working hard to ensure people can access medicines, information and advice when needed. And the pharmacy’s collaborative working with other healthcare organisations supports people in accessing care in a timely manner.
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: