Inspection outcome: Standards met
Last inspection: 23/10/2024
Pharmacy context
This health centre pharmacy has changed ownership since its last inspection. Its main activity is dispensing NHS prescriptions it receives from a large GP surgery on the same site. The pharmacy also sells a range of over-the-counter medicines and offers the NHS Pharmacy First Service.
Inspection summary findings
Principle 1. Governance
The pharmacy manages the risks associated with its services adequately. It manages people's confidential information securely. And its team members understand how they can help protect vulnerable people. However, the pharmacy's written instructions are not readily accessible so it may be difficult for its team members to refer to these to be able to follow best practice. It generally keeps the records it needs to, to show that medicines are supplied safely. But some details are missing from some records which may make the records less useful in the event of a future query. Team members record the mistakes they have made which are spotted during the dispensing process. But they do not record learning points and so may be missing opportunities to help the team to improve from these events and minimise the chances of recurrence.
Principle 2. Staff
The pharmacy’s staffing levels are sufficient to manage its current workload. Its team members are supportive of each other and they can raise concerns or provide feedback to the RP or senior leadership to help improve pharmacy’s services.
Principle 3. Premises
The pharmacy’s premises are suitable for the services it provides. They are kept secure and people visiting the pharmacy can have a private conversation with a team member if required.
Principle 4. Services, including medicines management
Overall, the pharmacy’s services are accessible to people with different needs. It gets its medicines from licensed wholesalers, and it stores its medicines appropriately. Team members try to overcome communication barriers to help people access healthcare services. And they understand how to respond to concerns about medicines and medical devices not fit for purpose. However, they do not keep records about these so it may be harder for the pharmacy to show that these have been dealt with appropriately.
Principle 5. Equipment and facilities
The pharmacy has the necessary equipment and facilities to provide its services safely.
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 |