This website uses cookies to help you make the most of your visit.
By continuing to browse without changing your settings, you agree to our use of cookies.
Give me more information
x
-->

Pharmacy inspections

Inspection reports and learning from inspections

Skip to Content (Press Enter)

Cottam Lane Pharmacy (1106247) - Improvement action plan

Standard not met Reason Action being taken by the Pharmacy By when Notification By Pharmacy Improvements Made
1.1

The pharmacy has a set of standard operating procedures (SOPs). But the new SOPs had not been reviewed and authorised by the superintendent pharmacist. And members of the pharmacy team had not read them. So there is a risk they may not fully understand the written processes that underpin the services they offer to help make sure they are provided in a safe and effective manner.

Superintendent to Sign off SOPS, alter any that need amending.
All team members to have signed off SOPs.
Superintendent to check all staff signed off, this will be through online Alphega portal.

30/05/2025
2.2

Some members of the pharmacy team are trained dispensers or registered pharmacy technicians. But some of the team have been working in the pharmacy without undertaking an appropriate training course for their role. So they may not have the underpinning knowledge or skills required for the work they complete.

All team members to be reviewed on current training qualifications. Anyone not currently on training to be put on a training module.
To advertise for more dispensers.

30/05/2025
3.1

The pharmacy’s premises is restrictive in its size for the volume of the pharmacy services it provides. Some medicines and dispensed prescriptions are stored on the floor, which increases the risk of them getting damaged. The front medicines counter was moved forward to help create additional space. But this reduced the allocated retail space which meant that people who were waiting for their prescription to be dispensed were crowded in a small waiting area. There was a restricted amount of clear work bench space for the large pharmacy team to use. The consultation room was cluttered, with shelving for dressings, storage of sealed confidential waste bags, and paperwork. This reduces the total amount of usable space for team members to safely complete the tasks they are responsible for.

Confidential waste will be moved to a storeroom in the surgery.
The consultation room cupboards will be removed of any unneeded documents and items. Dressings will be stored either in a cupboard or into the dispensary and dressing stock minimised to a very small amount to purchase.
The retrieval will be sorted through and any old prescriptions taken off and dealt with as per SOP. This will allow more space on the shelves for more stock. We are introducing a coloured ‘spot’ system to easily identify those prescriptions which are a 1/2/3 months, we will review it at the end of the month and patients will be called to let them know they need to pick prescription up. If I can get a text system organised, this will be a good addition.
Dispensed medicines will be moved off the floor onto shelves or cupboards to risk damage.
We are adding a filing cabinet under the desk in the consultation room for paperwork which can be removed off the shelves.
We will try to remove anything on the workspace that is not needed or remove to another area so that the benches are clearer for people to work.
We will review the space we currently have in the dispensary and see if we can maximise anymore space, whether that is moving shelving or moving things around.

30/05/2025