The standards
In the September 2013 issue of the GPhC publication Regulate, the GPhC stated:
"We want to use the standards to:
- Improve the quality of pharmacy practice
- Share examples of good practice, as well as highlight poor practice, when necessary"
Following a period of consultation the GPhC announced the introduction of inspections for registered pharmacies, based on the new standards and commencing on 4th November 2013.
The inspections benchmark each pharmacy against the standards. Pharmacy owners and superintendent pharmacists are responsible for ensuring their practice meets all the standards, but all pharmacy staff must understand their responsibilities and role in the inspection process.
The inspections will categorise the pharmacy as:
- Poor - the pharmacy failed to achieve the standards overall and this indicates a potential medium to high risk to patient safety
- Satisfactory - meets most standards and for those that are not met poses a low risk to patient safety
- Good - all standards are consistently met and have shown positive outcomes
- Excellent - all standards are consistently met and show an environment of innovation in the delivery of pharmacy services
This categorisation is similar to that of the grading of schools by OFSTED or restaurants by the Food Standards Agency. In the future, it is likely that results of the inspections will be made available to the public so they can see how their pharmacy is performing and compare it to other local pharmacies. Where do you want to be? Would you be happy with satisfactory or are you aiming for excellent? Experience of inspections so far shows that most pharmacies are being categorised as satisfactory.
During an inspection the inspector will gather and record evidence through several methods, observation, talking to pharmacy staff, testing staff knowledge though scenarios, testing systems as well as looking at written evidence. This is described as a show me tell me approach. It it therefore essential that all pharmacy staff are aware of the standards and the inspection process.
Feedback to date suggests that if staff are able to proactively discuss topics rather than reactively answer questions, the pharmacy is more likely to get a higher rating due to the increased amount of evidence provided.
The GPhC has put in place a framework of five principles which are designed to ensure pharmacies can deliver safe and effective services. Each principle is then broken down into individual standards which explain the requirements of each principle more fully.
This module will highlight some of the standards and help you prepare for the inspection process.
Principle 1
The governance arrangements safeguard the health, safety and wellbeing of patients and the public.
Principle 2
Staff are empowered and competent to safeguard the health, safety and wellbeing of patients to the public.
Principle 3
The environment and condition of the premises from which pharmacy services are provided, and any associated premises, safeguard the health, safety and wellbeing of patients and the public.
Principle 4
The way in which pharmacy services, including the management of medicines and medical devices, are delivered, safeguards the health, safety and wellbeing of patients and the public.
Principle 5
The equipment and facilities used in the provision of pharmacy services safeguard the health, safety and wellbeing of patients and the public.