Alcombe PharmacyGPhC

Pharmacy context

This independent pharmacy is located in Minehead, Devon. It sells over-the-counter medicines and dispenses NHS and private prescriptions. The pharmacy team gives advice to people about minor illnesses and long-term conditions. The pharmacy offers services including flu vaccinations, a minor ailments scheme, the NHS New Medicine Service (NMS) and the Community Pharmacy Consultation Service (CPCS). It provides services to drug misusers, including a needle exchange service. And it participates in an NHS blood pressure testing service. The pharmacy supplies medicines in multi-compartment compliance aids to people living in their own homes. And it provides services to several care homes.

Standards by principle

• Principle 1 – Governance

  Standards met

  The pharmacy takes appropriate steps to identify and manage its risks. Team members generally record any mistakes they make and review them to identify the cause. The pharmacy team then makes the necessary changes to stop mistakes from happening again. The pharmacy has appropriate written procedures in place to help ensure that its team members work safely. The pharmacy responds appropriately when it receives feedback. It has the required insurance in place to cover its services. And it keeps all the records required by law. The pharmacy keeps people’s private information safe and explains how it will be used. Pharmacy team members know how to protect the safety of vulnerable people.

• Principle 2 – Staff

  Standards met

  The pharmacy has enough team members to manage its workload. They receive time in work to complete training for their roles and keep their skills up to date. Team members are confident to suggest and make changes to the way they work to improve their services. The team communicates effectively. And they work well together to deliver the pharmacy’s services.

• Principle 3 – Premises

  Standards met

  The pharmacy provides a safe, secure and professional environment for people to receive healthcare. The pharmacy is adequately secured to prevent unauthorised access.

• Principle 4 – Services

  Standards met

  The pharmacy team make sure that people with different needs can access its various services. The pharmacy supplies medicines safely to people with appropriate advice to ensure they are used correctly. Team members take steps to identify people prescribed high-risk medicines to ensure that they are given additional information. The pharmacy obtains its medicines from reputable suppliers. It stores them securely and makes regular checks to ensure that they are still suitable for supply. The pharmacy accepts unwanted medicines and disposes of them appropriately.

• Principle 5 – Equipment

  Standards met

  The pharmacy uses appropriate equipment and facilities to provide its services. It keeps these clean and tidy. The pharmacy uses its equipment in a way that protects people’s private information.

Inspection history summary