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 is working collaboratively with other organisations to reduce the need for the pharmacy to close in the event a pharmacist falls ill and there is a shortage of locum pharmacist availability.
How the pharmacy did this
The Local Pharmaceutical Committee (LPC) and NHS area team had agreed that practice-based pharmacists would be available for community pharmacies to call upon rather than closing a pharmacy if the pharmacist needed to return home. The LPC chief officer had sent regular newsletters and had set up a WhatsApp group where he shared updates. And pharmacists in the area could communicate via the group.
During a shift a pharmacist was required to return home to self-isolate. The pharmacy was temporarily closed. But the pharmacy team were informed a locum could not be arranged until later that day. The pharmacy team had read the newsletters from the LPC and were aware that the LPC may be able to help. A member of the team contacted the LPC. And a practice-based pharmacist was at the pharmacy within 30 minutes and assumed the role of the responsible pharmacist. This allowed the pharmacy to re-open. And it meant the negative impact to people requiring access to pharmacy services was lessened.
What difference this made to patients
The pharmacy is working effectively by engaging in an urgent cover scheme set up by the local LPC and NHS area team. This reduces the need for the pharmacy to close for any lengthy period of time during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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: