Inspection outcome: Standards met
Last inspection: 11/09/2023
Pharmacy context
This retail pharmacy is situated in central London close to Victoria station. It offers a wide range of healthcare services. People who visit the pharmacy usually live or work locally, but it also serves tourists who are visiting the area. The pharmacy dispenses and supplies both NHS and private prescriptions, and it provides some other NHS funded services such as seasonal flu vaccinations, the New Medicine Service (NMS), and the Hypertension Case Finding Service. It sells over the counter (OTC) medicines, and it has a private travel clinic. It also offers ear wax removal and a phlebotomy service in conjunction with an accredited laboratory. A private GP service operates from a consultation room in the basement. This activity is regulated by the Care Quality Commission and so outside the scope of this inspection.
Inspection summary findings
Principle 1. Governance
The pharmacy adequately manages the risks associated with its services. It has written procedures to help make sure its team members work safely. Members of the pharmacy team are clear about their roles and responsibilities. They usually record and discuss their mistakes so that they can learn from them. The pharmacy keeps appropriate records although occasional details are missing, which could make it harder for the team to demonstrate how it supplies medicines safely. Team members protects people's private information and they understand their role in safeguarding vulnerable people.
Principle 2. Staff
The pharmacy has enough staff to manage its workload. Team members work well together, and they have the right qualifications for the jobs they do. The pharmacy supports team members to develop their knowledge and acquire additional skills. Team members are comfortable providing feedback and they discuss any issues or incidents which occur.
Principle 3. Premises
The pharmacy is secure, clean, and suitable for the provision of healthcare services. It has consultation facilities so people can receive services and have confidential conversations with pharmacy team members in private.
Principle 4. Services, including medicines management
The pharmacy offers a range of healthcare services which are easy to access. Its working practices are suitably safe so people receive appropriate care. The pharmacy obtains its medicines from reputable suppliers, and the team completes regular checks of medicines to make sure they are in good condition. But pharmacists do not always record clinical interventions they make, so the pharmacy may not always be able to demonstrate that supplies are clinically appropriate.
Principle 5. Equipment and facilities
The pharmacy has equipment and facilities it needs for the services it provides. The team members maintain the equipment so that it is safe, and they use it in a way that protects people’s privacy.
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 |