Inspection outcome: Standards met
Last inspection: 08/08/2019
Pharmacy context
This is a community pharmacy in the centre of the town of Cheltenham. The pharmacy dispenses NHS and private prescriptions and sells over-the-counter medicines. They supply medicines in multi-compartment compliance aids to help vulnerable people in their own homes to take their medicines. They also supply medicines to the residents of eight local care homes.
Inspection summary findings
Principle 1. Governance
The pharmacy’s working practices are safe and effective. The downstairs working area is small but the team members manage this risk well. They learn from mistakes to prevent them from happening again. The pharmacy keeps the up-to-date records that it must by law. The team members keep people’s private information safe and they know how to protect vulnerable people.
Principle 2. Staff
The pharmacy usually has enough staff to manage its workload safely. But, a recent full-time team member has only been replaced with a part-time, temporary, inexperienced member. This may cause issues in the future. The staff are encouraged to keep their skills up to date and they do this in work time. The pharmacist also encourages them to undertake further learning. The team members who are training are well supported. The team works well together and they feel comfortable about providing feedback to the pharmacist to improve services. The pharmacist conducts comprehensive performance reviews, particularly of new members, to identify any gaps in their knowledge. And, she keeps notes of the discussions in the monthly staff meetings.
Principle 3. Premises
The pharmacy is clean. Some of the work areas are small but they are tidy and organised. The consultation room is signposted so it is clear to people that there is somewhere private for them to talk. But, the room is small and it may be difficult to place a person in the recovery position on the floor, if necessary, following an untoward reaction to a flu vaccination.
Principle 4. Services, including medicines management
Most people can access the services that the pharmacy offers. But, some people with specific mobility needs may have difficulty entering the pharmacy and accessing the consultation room. The services at the pharmacy are effectively managed to make sure that they are provided safely. The pharmacy team make sure that people have the information that they need to use their medicines safely and effectively. They intervene if they are worried that people may not be using their medicines as prescribed by their doctors. The pharmacist proactively consults other healthcare professionals and takes part in pilot schemes to provide safer services to people. The team make sure that people only get medicines or devices that are safe.
Principle 5. Equipment and facilities
The pharmacy has the appropriate equipment for the services its provides.
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 |