Pharmacy context
This is a neighbourhood pharmacy in a coastal town. It sells a range of over-the-counter medicines and dispenses NHS and private prescriptions. Some NHS prescriptions are assembled off-site at another pharmacy owned by the company. It provides medicines in multi-compartment compliance aids to a large number of patients who live in the surrounding area. It offers a wide range of services including emergency hormonal contraception, smoking cessation, treatment for minor ailments and a seasonal ‘flu vaccination service for NHS and private patients. Substance misuse services are also available.
Inspection summary findings
Principle 1. Governance
The pharmacy has written procedures to help make sure the team works safely. Its team members record and review some of their mistakes. And they take action to stop them from happening again. But they do not record and review everything that goes wrong. So they may miss some opportunities to learn. The pharmacy keeps the records it needs to by law. It asks people to give their views about the services it provides. And it keeps people’s private information safe. The pharmacy’s team members understand how to recognise and report concerns about vulnerable people to help keep them safe.
Principle 2. Staff
The pharmacy has enough staff to manage its workload. They are properly trained for the jobs they do. And they feel comfortable speaking up about any concerns they have.
Principle 3. Premises
The pharmacy is generally clean and tidy. It is secure, has enough space to allow safe working and its layout protects people’s privacy.
Principle 4. Services, including medicines management
The pharmacy’s services are easy for people to access. If it can’t provide a service, it directs people to somewhere that can help. The pharmacy’s working practices are generally safe and effective. But members of the pharmacy team do not always know when higher-risk medicines are being handed out. So they might not always check that medicines are still suitable, or give people advice about taking them. The pharmacy stores most medicines appropriately and carries out some checks to help make sure that they are in good condition and suitable to supply.
Principle 5. Equipment and facilities
The pharmacy has the equipment and facilities it needs to provide services. It makes sure these are always safe and suitable for use. The pharmacy’s team members use equipment and facilities 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 |