Halliwell Midnight Pharmacy (1099351)

Inspection summary findings

Principle 1. Governance

The pharmacy does not consistently manage the risks associated with the prescribing service. This means people might be able to obtain medicines which are not always appropriate for their needs and could cause them harm. The pharmacy carries out audits of the prescribing practice, however, inconsistencies found in both the working practices and the quality of the service are not always effectively managed and addressed. The pharmacy manages its NHS services reasonably safely and it generally keeps the records required by law. But some pharmacy team members have not completed formal training on safeguarding, confidentiality and data protection, so they might not fully understand their role in safeguarding people and keeping people’s information safe.

Principle 2. Staff

The pharmacy team members have the appropriate qualifications for the jobs they do. They can provide feedback to their manager about the pharmacy and its services, and they feel reasonably well supported. But team members do not get regular ongoing training, so there may be gaps in their knowledge and skills​.

Principle 3. Premises

The pharmacy generally provides a professional environment for people to receive healthcare services. It has a private consultation room that enables it to provide members of the public with the opportunity to receive services in private and have confidential conversations. The pharmacy's website uses wording that gives people the impression that they can choose a prescription only medicine before having an appropriate consultation with a prescriber, and it could mean they may not always receive the most suitable medicine for their needs. Information about the prescriber’s registration is missing and people may not have enough information to make an informed decision about their care.

Principle 4. Services, including medicines management

The pharmacy does not always make enough checks to ensure medicines obtained through the prescribing service are suitable for the people it supplies. It supplies some medicines which may not be appropriate to prescribe via a remote consultation based on a questionnaire, because they require physical examination, blood tests or monitoring. And the pharmacy often supplies prescription medicines without informing a person's regular doctor. This means their condition might not be properly monitored or followed up, and their use of medication may not be adequately controlled. The pharmacy offers a range of other traditional healthcare services, which are suitably managed, so people receive appropriate care. It gets its medicines from licensed suppliers and the team carries out some checks to ensure medicines are in suitable condition to supply. But the pharmacy could improve the way it stores and manage some of its medicines.

Principle 5. Equipment and facilities

Members of the pharmacy team have the equipment and facilities they need for the services they provide. They maintain the equipment so that it is safe to use.