Searching the knowledge hub

The pharmacy uses technology to enhance the safety and efficiency of its delivery service. The technology helps the delivery driver to prioritise the pharmacy’s deliveries while also finding the most efficient route to use. And the technology keeps the pharmacy team up to date with the status of each delivery.

The pharmacy has effective processes for reviewing any mistakes it makes. And it takes action to prevent them from happening again. Team members reflect on whether the learning and improvements from previous reviews have been sustained. And they continue to look for new ways to improve the safety and effectiveness of the pharmacy’s services.

The pharmacy invests in automation to support the pharmacy team in assembling compliance packs. The system is risk assessed regularly and has in-built safety checks to reduce the risk of human error.

Anaphylaxis kits are co-located in the vaccination room and in the post-vaccination area (which is the main part of the pharmacy) which ensures that those trained to administer adrenaline injections can access them quickly while minimising the impact on the COVID-19 vaccination service.

The pharmacy uses continual review processes to identify and manage risks associated with supplying medicines to people. It takes timely action to implement changes designed to reduce risk when supplying medicines.

GPhC engagement indicates that a good quality pharmacy-led COVID-19 vaccination site is one which has

• Clear leadership. The service has been well thought through with a clearly articulated written plan. The plan is person centred. It identifies and mitigates for the potential risks involved in providing the service. And everyone involved understands their roles and responsibilities.

• A well trained and well-motivated team. Team members are fully trained for their individual roles and have a good understanding of the service as a whole. The team regularly reviews the service so that it can modify it quickly to adapt to changing circumstances. And there is a culture of continuous improvement.

• A well-designed, well laid-out and well managed site. It has enough space for people to progress through the vaccination process in a logical fashion, while maintaining social distancing. And people do not unnecessarily cross paths with others. The site has regular robust cleaning routines and the patient journey is well thought through. People can find the site without difficulty, park easily and know what to expect when they get there. People are made welcome and are dealt with thoughtfully, efficiently and speedily throughout the service.

All members of the pharmacy team are vaccinated against COVID-19 and carry out twice weekly lateral flow tests. They continually risk assess their working practices and have identified that it is no longer necessary for the pharmacy to work in two separate groups and can now work as a whole team again. This means that the pharmacy has a more effective balance of workforce cover every day. And is helping the pharmacy team to get back to ‘normal’.

The pharmacy is using information from its engagement with COVID-19 Pharmacy-led vaccination sites to help it manage its services safely and effectively. It is taking swift action to help mitigate some concerns reported by these pharmacies. And it has put systems in place to manage the increased volume of telephone calls more easily.

The pharmacy is working closely with neighbouring pharmacies to ensure that, even if the pharmacy has to close temporarily, the supply of medicines to people will not be disrupted.

The pharmacy uses information from trustworthy sources to help keep its team members’ knowledge up to date during the pandemic. And to help ensure its approach to managing risk is consistent with both government and NHS guidance.