G P h C P RI N C I P L E 2: ACT I O N P L A N

Staff are empowered and competent to safeguard the health, safety and wellbeing of patients and the public.

2.1 THERE ARE ENOUG H STAFF, SUITABLY QUALIFIED AND SKILLED, FOR THE SAFE AND EFFECTIVE PROVISION OF
THE PHARMACY SERVICES PROVIDED
Question Details of action required Reference Comments Actioned

1 Are there enough suitably trained staff • Up-to-date staff rotas. Numark Business
to cover all the opening hours of the Continuity Plan
• Contingency arrangements are in
pharmacy?
place to cover staff absence.
• Succession plans in place for team
development.

2.2 STAFF HAVE THE APPROPRIATE SKILLS, QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCE FOR THEIR ROLE AND THE TASKS
THEY CARRY OUT, OR ARE WORKING UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF ANOTHER PERSON WHILE THEY ARE IN TRAINING
Question Details of action required Reference Comments Actioned

2 Have all colleagues obtained a Ensure all members of the team have Numark
qualification appropriate to their role, or completed or are enrolled on the correct Responsibilities
are they working towards and enrolled on qualification for the jobs they are and roles of
an appropriate course? completing. Make sure any colleagues on a pharmacy staff
course are on track to complete within the SOP
required deadline.
3 If the pharmacy has an Accuracy ACPT should have a portfolio of evidence Accuracy
Checking Pharmacy Technician (ACPT), such as CPDs and CPPE. Checking
can they provide evidence that they Pharmacy
remain competent to perform their role? Technician Job
Description
CPPE ACPT
handbook
4 If there is an individual on a training All trainees should have a workplace
course, is there a workplace training training supervisor.
supervisor, who can guide them?
5 Is there evidence of regular team training? Various evidence: Numark CPD &
Counter excellence
• CPDs.
modules
• CPPE courses with certifications.
CPPE
• Monthly patient safety reviews.
6 Have all Patient Group Directions (PGDs) Where Patient Group Directions (PGDs) are Numark Providing
been read and signed by all pharmacists in operation, it is vital that all pharmacists a private PGD
providing the service and are they still providing the service have read, signed service SOP
valid? and are aware of the contents of the PGD
Numark PGDs
before starting to offer this service. If the
PGD is out of date, the service needs to
stop until an updated one has been signed.
7 Are all service specific training Complete a training log for the service See individual
requirements / competency assessments based on the requirements detailed in services for
completed as detailed in the service the service specification, adding the competency
specification? training requirements for each colleague checklist
as appropriate. Some services will only
involve training for the pharmacist, others
will involve training for the whole pharmacy
team. The training requirements for each
role are to be assessed by the pharmacist.
8 See individual services for competency Training records should be kept for all staff
checklist involved with services. Copies of their
training certificates should be kept with
their training logs.
9 Can the pharmacists and ACPTs Registered professionals are up to date Numark CPD &
show current Continuing Professional with GPhC, CPD requirements and can Counter excellence
Development (CPD)? provide evidence to the inspector. modules
2.3 STAFF CAN COMPLY WITH THEIR OWN PROFESSIONAL AND LEGAL OBLIGATIONS AND ARE EMPOWERED TO
EXERCISE THEIR PROFESSIONAL JUDG EMENT IN THE INTERESTS OF PATIENTS AND THE PUBLIC
Question Details of action required Reference Comments Actioned

10 Do pharmacy staff have guidance • Staff to read, understand and sign the Numark Over the
for giving advice and the safe sale of SOP. counter sales SOP
medicines? Numark advice on
• The team are aware of the potential
medicines liable to
abuse and misuse of P or GSL
abuse
medicines and give examples.
GPhC monitoring
• Staff know when to refer to the
sale and supply of
pharmacist.
medicines which
can be abused or
misused
11 Is there evidence of OTC Intervention Where a patient’s request or query is Numark
recording? deemed to be clinically significant, records Interventions and
will be made of advice given and any problem solving
interventions or referrals made. Records SOP
are to be made against the patient’s PMR
where one exists. If no PMR make notes
either at the rear of the prescription-only
register or in an interventions book.
12 Is there evidence of prescription The pharmacy team must record the Numark
Intervention recording? details of interventions made and Interventions and
the outcome on the interventions problem solving
section of the PMR for both NHS and SOP
private prescriptions. Recording in the
interventions section allows you to pull
reports to evidence that you are compliant
with this NHS contact requirement.
Depending upon the nature of the
intervention it may also be appropriate to
add a flash up note to the patient’s PMR
record.
2.4 THERE IS A CULTURE OF OPENNESS, HONESTY AND LEARNING
Question Details of action required Reference Comments Actioned

13 Are patient safety reviews in place? Team members understand the importance Numark patient
of reporting mistakes and learning from safety
them.
14 What happens with complaints and Feedback and complaints are shared with Numark Dealing
feedback? Are the pharmacy team aware the pharmacy team and action is taken as with complaints
and be able to action on them? a result. SOPs (England &
Wales)
Numark Dealing
with Complaints
SOP (Scotland)
Numark Dealing
with Complaints
SOP (Northern
Ireland)
15 Have colleagues had a Performance Performance reviews should be up to date Numark Personal
Review in the last 12 months? for all staff. Development Plan

16 Is there an induction programme for new New starters should have regular probation Numark New
starters? reviews to discuss progress, agree specific starter training
objectives to work on and identify any plan
concerns.
Numark New
starter Induction
Workbook

2.5 STAFF ARE EMPOWERED TO PROVIDE FEEDBACK AND RAISE CONCERNS ABOUT MEETING THESE STANDARDS AND
OTHER ASPECTS OF PHARMACY SERVICES
Question Details of action required Reference Comments Actioned

17 Whistleblowing - have all pharmacy All pharmacy staff to read, understand Numark
colleagues read the Whistleblowing Policy and sign the whistleblowing policy. All Whistleblowing
and signed the signature sheet? Colleagues must know where to locate the Policy
information and understand that concerns
can be raised with their line managers.
18 Does the pharmacy conduct regular Regular team meetings are an opportunity
team meetings to discuss feedback or for colleagues to discuss feedback or
concerns? concerns and are great examples to share
with the inspector.
2.6 INCENTIVES OR TARG ETS DO NOT COMPROMISE THE HEALTH, SAFETY OR WELLBEING OF PATIENTS AND THE
PUBLIC, OR THE PROFESSIONAL JUDG EMENT OF STAFF.
Question Details of action required Reference Comments Actioned

19 Are there incentives or targets which Review all incentives and targets. Services
could affect the judgement of staff, provided by your team are meaningful and
causing the safety of patients to be result in positive patient outcomes.
compromised?