Inspection outcome: Standards met
Last inspection: 11/09/2024
Pharmacy context
The pharmacy provides a homecare service which involves delivering medication directly to people’s homes. All patients are referred to the service by their hospital prescriber. It also provides other services which are not regulated by the GPhC, including nursing care and medicine compounding. This inspection only covers the registerable services provided by the pharmacy. The pharmacy, which is one of four owned by the company, is in an industrial unit. The premises is not accessible to members of the public.
This inspection is one of a series of inspections we have carried out as part of a thematic review of homecare services in pharmacy. We will also publish a thematic report of our overall findings across all of the pharmacies we inspected. Homecare pharmacies provide specialised services that differ from the typical services provided by traditional community pharmacies. Therefore, we have made our judgements by comparing performance between the homecare pharmacies we have looked at. This means that, in some instances, systems and procedures that may have been identified as good in other settings have not been identified as such because they are standard practice within the homecare sector. However, general good practice we have identified will be highlighted in our thematic report.
This inspection is one of a series of inspections we have carried out as part of a thematic review of homecare services in pharmacy. We will also publish a thematic report of our overall findings across all of the pharmacies we inspected. Homecare pharmacies provide specialised services that differ from the typical services provided by traditional community pharmacies. Therefore, we have made our judgements by comparing performance between the homecare pharmacies we have looked at. This means that, in some instances, systems and procedures that may have been identified as good in other settings have not been identified as such because they are standard practice within the homecare sector. However, general good practice we have identified will be highlighted in our thematic report.
Inspection summary findings
Principle 1. Governance
The pharmacy identifies and manages the risks associated with its services. It has a thorough set of risk assessments which are reviewed regularly. It audits its services to help ensure that they are provided in a safe and effective manner. People can provide feedback about the pharmacy’s services, which the pharmacy uses to help it improve. And team members are provided with the appropriate training so they know how to handle confidential information, and understand how to protect vulnerable people.
Principle 2. Staff
The pharmacy has enough suitably trained team members to deliver its services safely and effectively. Team members have structured training for their role. And they are provided with on‐going training to keep their skills and knowledge up to date. They can provide feedback and raise concerns with senior leadership to help improve pharmacy's services.
Principle 3. Premises
The pharmacy is clean, hygienic, and well maintained. And there is ample space for the services provided. It is secured from unauthorised access.
Principle 4. Services, including medicines management
The pharmacy’s services are well organised and are provided safely and effectively. The pharmacy communicates well with its patients to ensure that they receive their medicines on time. It obtains its medicines from recognised sources, and it stores them appropriately. And it carries out regular checks to make sure they are kept in good condition and fit for purpose.
Principle 5. Equipment and facilities
The pharmacy has the equipment it needs to provide its services safely. It uses its equipment to help protect people’s personal information.
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 |