Inspection outcome: Standards met
Last inspection: 21/04/2021
Pharmacy context
This is a pharmacy that is largely closed to the public and located in the centre of Harrow-on-the-Hill in Middlesex. The pharmacy supplies medicines inside multi-compartment compliance packs to residents in care homes and to people in their own homes if they find it difficult to manage their medicines. It offers travel and seasonal flu vaccinations, dispenses NHS and private prescriptions as well as selling a limited range of over-the-counter medicines. In addition, it has a website (www.doorsteppharmacy.com) where pharmacy only medicines can be bought online. The pharmacy also dispenses private prescriptions for unlicensed treatments for hair loss which it prepares onsite. The pharmacy was inspected during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Inspection summary findings
Principle 1. Governance
The pharmacy has satisfactory processes in place to identify and manage risks. This includes the risks associated with COVID-19. The pharmacist regularly monitors the safety of the pharmacy’s services by recording mistakes and learning from them. Staff are trained to protect the welfare of vulnerable people. And, in the main, people’s private information is protected. But team members are sharing their NHS smart cards to access electronic prescriptions. This makes it more difficult for them to control access to people’s records and keep information safe. And the pharmacy doesn’t always record all the required information in some of its records. This could mean that its team may not have enough information available if problems or queries arise in the future.
Principle 2. Staff
The pharmacy has adequate staffing levels to manage its workload. Its team members work well together. And they undertake tasks which are appropriate to their role and experience. But the pharmacy only has limited systems or resources to help keep the team’s skills and knowledge up to date. This could affect how well they carry out tasks and adapt to change with new situations.
Principle 3. Premises
The pharmacy’s premises provide a suitable environment to deliver healthcare services. The pharmacy has introduced appropriate measures to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 inside its premises. Its team members keep the premises clean. And it has a separate space where confidential conversations or services can take place.
Principle 4. Services, including medicines management
The pharmacy obtains its medicines from reputable sources. It generally stores and manages its medicines appropriately. The pharmacy supplies medicines to residents in the care homes safely. And the pharmacist makes relevant checks when people receive higher-risk medicines. But the pharmacy doesn't always record any information about this. This makes it difficult for the pharmacy to show that it provides people with appropriate advice when supplying these medicines. And, the pharmacy does not always follow all the guidance set by the GPhC when it prepares unlicensed medicines. This limits its ability to show that it provides this service safely.
Principle 5. Equipment and facilities
The pharmacy overall, has the necessary equipment and facilities it needs to provide its services safely. And its equipment is clean.
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 |