Pharmacy type
Community
Pharmacy context
COVID-19
Relevant standards
- 2.5 - Staff are empowered to provide feedback and raise concerns about meeting these standards and other aspects of pharmacy services
Why this is notable practice
The pharmacy is providing additional emotional support for its team members by arranging access to NHS counselling services. This is helping team members cope with the challenges they face during the COVID-19 pandemic.
How the pharmacy did this
The superintendent pharmacist had identified how his team members were feeling anxious and overwhelmed. This was in the wake of increased workload and stressful conditions caused by a heightened demand for pharmacy services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Consequently, he had spoken to the Local Pharmaceutical Committee about any support available for his team. They had referred him to the Clinical Commissioning Group, who had opened up their staff counselling service to members of the pharmacy team. Support could be accessed by a variety of means, including through a website, by phone, email or an online chat service. At first contact, a trained person assessed the support needed and referred to the appropriate resource. Several members of the pharmacy team had accessed this support and had found it useful.
What difference this made to patients
Being able to access counselling services means pharmacy team members are better equipped to deal with the additional workload during the COVID-19 pandemic. They are also more likely to remain at work meaning that continuity of service can be maintained for people using 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: