Polar Speed Distribution LtdGPhC

Pharmacy context

The pharmacy provides a homecare medicines service which involves delivering ongoing medicine supplies direct to people’s homes. All of the treatments are initially prescribed by hospital prescribers. Some aspects of the service, for example nursing care, are not regulated by GPhC. Therefore, we have only reported on the registerable services provided by the pharmacy. The pharmacy is located in an industrial unit and the premises is not open to the public. It is one of two pharmacies owned by the same company. This inspection is one of a series of inspections we have carried out as part of a thematic review of homecare services in pharmacy. We will also publish a thematic report of our overall findings across all of the pharmacies we inspected. Homecare pharmacies provide specialised services that differ from the typical services provided by traditional community pharmacies. Therefore, we have made our judgements by comparing performance between the homecare pharmacies we have looked at. This means that, in some instances, systems and procedures that may have been identified as good in other settings have not been identified as such because they are standard practice within the homecare sector. However, general good practice we have identified will be highlighted in our thematic report.

Standards by principle

• Principle 1 – Governance

  Standards met

  The pharmacy manages the risks associated with its services well. It has a thorough set of risk assessments which are reviewed and updated regularly. The pharmacy completes regular audits to help regulate and improve the services it provides. The pharmacy regularly reviews its standard operating procedures to ensure that team members have access to the most up to date policies and procedures. Team members regularly record and review any dispensing or administration mistakes, and these are frequently reviewed by management to identify trends or patterns. Team members know how to handle people’s private information. And they know how to deal with any safeguarding concerns.

• Principle 2 – Staff

  Standards met

  The pharmacy has enough team members to effectively manage its workload. Team members have defined roles and understand what is expected of them. They are appropriately trained for the work that they do, and they receive regular ongoing training to help keep their knowledge and skills up to date. Team members know how to raise concerns and are comfortable raising any issues that they have.

• Principle 3 – Premises

  Standards met

  The pharmacy is clean and tidy and well maintained. It is effectively secured from unauthorised access. And there is plenty of space for team members to carry out their work safely and efficiently.

• Principle 4 – Services

  Standards met

  The pharmacy team works effectively to supply  the right medicines to people at the times they need them. It stores its medicines appropriately and carries out regular checks to make sure they will be delivered in good condition and fit for purpose. The pharmacy communicates well with its patients so they know when they will receive their medicines. And it gives advice and support to help make sure people use their medicines safely.

• Principle 5 – Equipment

  Standards met

  The pharmacy has all the equipment it needs to provide a safe and efficient service. It uses its equipment in ways that protect people’s privacy.

Inspection history summary