Inspection outcome: Standards met
Last inspection: 13/09/2024
Pharmacy context
The pharmacy provides a homecare medicines service which involves delivering ongoing medicine supplies direct to people’s homes. All of the treatments are initially prescribed by hospital prescribers. Some aspects of the service, for example nursing care, are not regulated by GPhC. Therefore, we have only reported on the registerable services provided by the pharmacy. The pharmacy is located in a purpose-built industrial unit and the premises is not open to the public. The Company is registered with the MHRA and holds a Wholesale Dealers Authorisation.
The 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 the pharmacies we inspected. Homecare pharmacies provide specialised services that differ from the typical services provided by community pharmacies. Therefore, we have made our judgements by comparing performance between 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
Overall, the pharmacy manages it’s risks safely and effectively. It has a set of written procedures which team members follow to ensure they work safely. The pharmacy records and reviews mistakes so that it can learn from them and takes action to prevent similar mistakes happening again. People can provide feedback to the pharmacy about its service, which the pharmacy uses to help it improve. And the pharmacy keeps the records it needs to by law.
Principle 2. Staff
The pharmacy has enough team members to manage its workload safely. And there is adequate contingency to manage staff absence when required. Team members are appropriately trained to carry out their roles. And they receive ongoing training to help keep their skills up to date. They know how to raise concerns or give feedback about the pharmacy, to help it improve.
Principle 3. Premises
The premises are clean and well maintained. They provide a suitable environment for healthcare services. And they are kept secure from unauthorised access.
Principle 4. Services, including medicines management
The pharmacy generally manages its services well. It communicates effectively with people to help them manage their medicines. And it reviews its processes to try and make them more efficient. The pharmacy ensures compounded medicines are stored appropriately. And it carries out checks to make sure they are suitable for use.
Principle 5. Equipment and facilities
The pharmacy had the equipment it needed to provide its services safely. All equipment was maintained appropriately so it was fit for purpose.
Pharmacy details
Unit 3&4 Spire Green Centre
Flex Meadow
The Pinnacles
HARLOW
CM195TR
England
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 |