Cohens ChemistGPhC

Pharmacy context

This is a community pharmacy located next to a Medical Centre in Kidderminster, Worcestershire. The pharmacy dispenses NHS and private prescriptions. It sells over-the-counter (OTC) medicines and offers a few services such as the New Medicines Service (NMS), local deliveries and Pharmacy First. Most of the pharmacy’s prescriptions are dispensed at the company’s hub and delivered to the pharmacy for collection. This includes people who require their medicines inside multi-compartment compliance packs if they find it difficult to manage their medicines at home. A few people’s medicines are also dispensed and supplied inside compliance packs at the pharmacy.

Standards by principle

• Principle 1 – Governance

  Standards met

  The pharmacy manages its risks appropriately and members of the pharmacy team have access to written instructions to help them to work safely. They understand how to protect the welfare of vulnerable people and can safeguard people’s confidential information appropriately. Team members deal with their mistakes responsibly. But they are not always documenting details when they review them. This could make it difficult for them to show that they regularly spot patterns and prevent similar mistakes happening in future. And the pharmacy could do more to make sure its records contain all the necessary details.

• Principle 2 – Staff

  Standards met

  The pharmacy’s team members have a range of skills and experience. They work well together and are supported by the regular pharmacist. They can also progress and develop their essential training further. But the pharmacy delivers ongoing training in an unstructured way. This could affect how well the team conduct tasks and adapt to change with new situations.

• Principle 3 – Premises

  Standards met

  The pharmacy premises present a professional image and provide a suitable environment for people to receive healthcare services. The pharmacy is kept clean. And a separate space is available where people can have confidential conversations with the pharmacy team.

• Principle 4 – Services

  Standards met

  The pharmacy has an enthusiastic regular pharmacist who actively works with the neighbouring GP surgeries. This helps ensures people receive the best possible care through the pharmacy’s services. Members of the pharmacy team help people with diverse needs to easily access the pharmacy's services. The pharmacy obtains its medicines from reputable sources, and it stores as well as largely manages them appropriately. Team members regularly identify people who receive higher-risk medicines and make the relevant checks, so they can take their medicines safely.

• Principle 5 – Equipment

  Standards met

  The pharmacy has the necessary equipment and facilities it needs to provide its services safely. Team members generally keep them clean. And the pharmacy’s equipment is largely used in an appropriate way to keep people's private information safe.

Inspection history summary