Southchurch Pharmacy (1104787)

Inspection summary findings

Principle 1. Governance

The pharmacy does not identify or manage the risk associated with all its services. It does not routinely monitor the safety and quality of its prescribing service. And it does not keep records about consultations with people using this service. The pharmacy cannot sufficiently demonstrate that it always learns from its mistakes. It does not routinely record mistakes that happen during the dispensing process. And this could mean that team members are missing out on opportunities to improve the pharmacy’s services. The pharmacy cannot demonstrate that it protects vulnerable people seeking medicines liable for misuse. The pharmacy does not manage its confidential waste properly, or always protect people’s personal information. People can provide feedback about the pharmacy’s services. And the pharmacy largely keeps its records up to date and accurate.

Principle 2. Staff

The pharmacy cannot adequately demonstrate that its pharmacist independent prescriber only prescribes medicines within their scope of competence. And it does not always enrol its staff on the appropriate training courses in a timely way. This could mean that they do not have all the skills and knowledge they need to undertake their tasks safely. However, the pharmacy generally has enough team members to provide its services safely. And trained team members do some ongoing training but this is not very structured. This could make it harder for them to keep their knowledge and skills up to date. 

Principle 3. Premises

The premises generally provide a suitable environment for the pharmacy's services. And people can have a conversation with a team member in a private area. But the pharmacy could do more to reduce potential trip hazards in staff-only areas. 

Principle 4. Services, including medicines management

The pharmacy cannot provide adequate assurances that its prescribing service is safe. The pharmacy does not monitor or review its prescribing activity, particularly when prescribing pain medicines and antibiotics. It does not keep any records about the consultations its prescriber has with people. It doesn't seek consent from people to share information with other healthcare providers. And its prescriber does not record their reasons for prescribing when they don't have consent to share information with the people's regular prescribers. This increases the risk that the pharmacy supplies prescription medicines to people which are not clinically appropriate, and people's conditions might not be properly monitored. And this is particularly concerning in relation to the prescribing of medicines liable to abuse or misuse. The pharmacy does not ensure that people who get their medicines in multi-compartment compliance packs receive all the information they need to take their medicines safely. The pharmacy does not have robust processes to make sure expired medicines are not supplied to people. And it does not always keep medicines in appropriately labelled containers. This could increase the risk of people getting medicines which are not fit for purpose. However, the pharmacy gets its medicines from reputable suppliers. And people with a range of needs can access the pharmacy's services. 

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.