Lakes PharmacyGPhC

Pharmacy context

This is a distance-selling pharmacy in a commercial area of northwest London. It dispenses prescriptions for people in care homes. The pharmacy is closed to the general public, so it does not see people face-to-face.

Standards by principle

• Principle 1 – Governance

  Good practice

  The pharmacy’s working practices are safe and effective. It has systems in place for team members to continually learn from their mistakes, take action to prevent them happening again and share learnings with the whole team. Members of the team are encouraged to introduce ways of monitoring and improving safety. The pharmacy has suitable standard operating procedures in place which the team follow to manage the risks associated with providing services. It actively asks people who use the pharmacy for feedback. The pharmacy keeps the records required by law showing it supplies its medicines and services safely. Members of the pharmacy team protect people’s private information, and they are trained in how to safeguard the welfare of vulnerable people.

• Principle 2 – Staff

  Good practice

  The pharmacy has enough team members who are qualified or training to have the appropriate skills and qualifications for their roles. Members of the team work effectively together in a supportive environment. The pharmacy reviews the workload to increase the efficiency of the team. The pharmacy team can provide feedback which is acted upon. And they know how to raise concerns relating to the pharmacy's services.

• Principle 3 – Premises

  Standards met

  The pharmacy's premises are clean, bright, secure and suitable for the provision of healthcare services. The pharmacy prevents people accessing its premises when it is closed so its medicines stock is safe, and people's private information is protected.

• Principle 4 – Services

  Good practice

  The pharmacy is an internet pharmacy so it does not see people who use its services face to face. It is good at providing its services safely and the pharmacy team can demonstrate how they manage their workstreams to ensure efficiency and effectiveness. The pharmacy team maintain thorough audit trails identifying each team member involved in providing the service. The pharmacy obtains its medicines from reputable sources and stores them securely at the right temperature so that they are fit for purpose and safe for people to use. People taking higher-risk medicines are provided with the information they need to use their medicines properly. The pharmacy takes the right action in response to safety alerts so that people get medicines and medical devices that are safe to use.

• Principle 5 – Equipment

  Standards met

  The pharmacy has the equipment and facilities it needs for the services it offers. The pharmacy uses its equipment appropriately and keeps people's private information safe.

Inspection history summary