Vantage PharmacyGPhC

Pharmacy context

This is a busy community pharmacy inter-connected with a doctors’ surgery in the south-eastern suburbs of the city of Bristol. A wide variety of people use the pharmacy. It dispenses NHS and private prescriptions and sells over-the-counter medicines. The pharmacy also supplies several medicines in multi-compartment compliance aids to help vulnerable people in their own homes to take their medicines. And it supplies some medicines to the residents of local care homes.

Standards by principle

• Principle 1 – Governance

  Standards met

  The pharmacy’s working practices are generally safe and effective. The team members learn and act on mistakes to prevent them from happening again. The pharmacy asks people for their feedback and it uses this to improve services.  It is appropriately insured to protect people if things go wrong. The team members keep the up-to-date records that they must by law and they know how to protect vulnerable people. But, some of the pharmacy’s written procedures are not up to date.  So, the team members may not be working according to current good practice guidelines.

• Principle 2 – Staff

  Standards met

  The pharmacy has enough staff to manage its workload safely. And, the team members are able to cover anyone who is sick or on holiday. The team members are encouraged to develop and keep their skills up to date and they are given time to do this. Those team members who are in training are well supported by the pharmacists. The team members are actively encouraged to provide feedback to their managers to improve services which is acted on.

• Principle 3 – Premises

  Standards met

  The pharmacy generally looks professional and is suitable for the services it provides. The pharmacy signposts its consultation room so it is clear to people that there is somewhere private for them to talk. But, the design of the room may hamper conversations. And, it would benefit from updating.

• Principle 4 – Services

  Standards met

  Everyone can access the services the pharmacy offers. It generally manages its services effectively to make sure that they are delivered safely. The team members make sure that people have the information that they need to take their medicines properly. They intervene if they are worried or think that people may be suffering from side effects. The pharmacy mainly gets its medicines from appropriate sources. But, some medicines are not subject to recognised standards. This means that people may not be getting medicines of a desired quality.

• Principle 5 – Equipment

  Standards met

  The pharmacy generally has the appropriate equipment and facilities for the services it provides.  And, the team members make sure that they are clean and fit-for-purpose.

Inspection history summary