Newmarket PharmacyGPhC

Pharmacy context

The pharmacy is next to a GP surgery on the edge of a town centre. It sells over-the-counter medicines and dispenses NHS and private prescriptions. It offers advice on the management of minor illnesses and long-term conditions. It supplies medicines in multi-compartmental compliance packs, designed to help people remember to take their medicines. And it delivers medicines to people’s homes.

Standards by principle

• Principle 1 – Governance

  Standards met

  The pharmacy has systems in place to help identify and manage the risks associated with its services. It responds appropriately to the feedback it receives. And it keeps people’s private information secure. Pharmacy team members have the skills required to respond to safeguarding concerns. They act openly and honestly by sharing information when mistakes happen. The pharmacy generally keeps all records it must by law. But some gaps in these records occasionally result in incomplete audit trails. This could make it difficult for the pharmacy to show exactly what has happened should a problem arise.

• Principle 2 – Staff

  Standards met

  The pharmacy has enough skilled and knowledgeable people working to provide its services and to manage its workload effectively. It has some systems in place for supporting the learning needs of its team members. The pharmacy encourages feedback from its team members and supports them in applying their professional judgement. Pharmacy team members engage in regular conversations relating to safety and service delivery. But they do not always record the key outcomes of these discussions. This means members of the team not on duty at the time may miss out on some opportunities to share learning.

• Principle 3 – Premises

  Standards met

  The pharmacy is clean, secure and maintained to the standards required. The pharmacy has a consultation room designed to maintain the privacy of people accessing the pharmacy’s services.

• Principle 4 – Services

  Standards met

  Pharmacy services are accessible and effectively managed. The pharmacy obtains its medicines from reputable sources. And it has systems in place to help ensure these medicines remain fit for purpose. But the pharmacy does not always supply information leaflets when dispensing medicines. This means people may not have all the information required to help them take their medicine safely. And the pharmacy does not always store medicines within their original packaging. This means it may be difficult to trace these medicines if a query arises.

• Principle 5 – Equipment

  Standards met

  The pharmacy has all the equipment it needs for providing its services safely. And it checks equipment to ensure it remains in working order. Its team members use equipment with care to ensure people’s private information is kept secure.

Inspection history summary