Pharmacy type
Community
Pharmacy context
COVID-19
Relevant standards
- 4.1 - The pharmacy services provided are accessible to patients and the public
Why this is notable practice
The pharmacy uses health campaign material and information about the vaccine from the government to ensure that people have all the information they need to give informed consent before they have their COVID-19 vaccination. It also reminds people of the need for “hands, face, space” after the vaccination, to remind them that anyone can spread the virus, whether vaccinated or not.
How the pharmacy did this
The pharmacy had given people the patient information leaflet (PIL) for the COVID-19 vaccination while they waited outside the pharmacy. When their turn came, a team member directed them into the pharmacy where a volunteer asked them to sanitise their hands. The volunteer then asked people to read a series of laminated sheets which the pharmacy had produced from the 'Information on COVID vaccination: Easy read leaflet' by Public Health England (PHE). The sheets gave information on potential side effects, and how to treat them, as well as other pre-and post-vaccination information.
The volunteer had been trained to talk people through the information on the sheets. And they had been trained to discuss the content to provide reassurance and refer any further questions to the pharmacist. The sheets contained informative pictures which had helped explain the information across language barriers. And they reminded people to maintain social distancing and wash their hands regularly, even after being vaccinated.
The team had a regular cleaning routine. And the laminated sheets were cleaned if anyone had touched them.
What difference this made to patients
People are provided with information about the vaccine in several different ways. They can ask questions about it and are provided with reassurance about what to expect and how to manage any side effects. And so, people are well informed before they provide consent. People are also kept informed about how they can help reduce the spread of the virus after vaccination.
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: