Inspection outcome: Standards met
Last inspection: 16/09/2021
Pharmacy context
The pharmacy is located within a supermarket in Bridgwater. It sells over-the-counter medicines and dispenses NHS and private prescriptions. The pharmacy team offers advice to people about minor illnesses and long-term conditions. It offers services including the NHS New Medicine Service (NMS), a smoking cessation service, a minor ailments scheme, the supply of COVID-19 lateral flow tests and flu vaccinations. The pharmacy offers services for drug misusers. It also supplies medicines in multi-compartment compliance aids to people living in their own homes. The inspection took place during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Inspection summary findings
Principle 1. Governance
The pharmacy identifies and manages its risks appropriately. Team members record their errors and review them regularly to identify the cause of errors. The pharmacy team then makes the necessary changes to stop mistakes from happening again. The pharmacy has written procedures in place to help ensure that its team members work safely. The pharmacy asks people for their views and acts appropriately on the feedback. It has adequate insurance to cover its services. And it keeps records required by law. It keeps people’s private information safe and explains how it will be used. Pharmacy team members know how to protect the safety of vulnerable people.
Principle 2. Staff
The pharmacy has enough staff to manage its workload. But when nearby pharmacies are forced to close it can put pressure on the team. Team members complete relevant training for their roles and keep their knowledge up to date. They are confident to suggest and make changes to the way they work to improve their services. They communicate well and give each other feedback on their performance.
Principle 3. Premises
The pharmacy provides a safe, secure and professional environment for people to receive healthcare. It has recently been refurbished to create more space. It has introduced measures to reduce the risk of the spread of COVID-19. The pharmacy has a soundproofed room where people can have private conversations with members of the pharmacy team. The pharmacy is adequately secured to prevent unauthorised access.
Principle 4. Services, including medicines management
The pharmacy is accessible and advertises its services appropriately. Medicines are supplied safely. The pharmacy offers some additional services, which the pharmacy team delivers safely. Team members providing the services ensure that their training is up to date. The pharmacy obtains its medicines from reputable suppliers. It stores them securely and makes regular checks to ensure that they are still suitable for supply. The pharmacy accepts unwanted medicines and disposes of them appropriately.
Principle 5. Equipment and facilities
The pharmacy uses appropriate equipment and facilities to provide its services. It ensures its equipment is well-maintained. The pharmacy uses its equipment in a way that protects people’s private information.
What do the inspection outcomes mean?
After an inspection each pharmacy receives one overall outcome. This will be either Standards met or Standards not all met
| The pharmacy has met all the standards for registered pharmacies | |
| The pharmacy has not met one or more of the standards for registered pharmacies |
What do the summary findings for each principle mean?
The standards for registered pharmacies are made up of five principles. The pharmacy will also receive one of four possible findings for each of these principles. These are:
| The pharmacy delivers an innovative service and benefits the whole community and performs well against the standards | |
| The pharmacy delivers positive outcomes for patients and performs well against most of the standards | |
| The pharmacy meets all the standards | |
| The pharmacy has not met one or more standards |