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Mr Rudkin pointed out that, although pharmacies are all very different and meet different needs, what they should have in common is:<\/p>\n
\u271a Support with medicines and advice to help patients improve health and well-being<\/p>\n
\u271a Good communication and professional behaviour from the pharmacy team<\/p>\n
\u271a\u00a0Good quality care that is in the patient\u2019s best interests<\/p>\n
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\u271a A clean and safe environment<\/p>\n
\u271a Any concerns from patients are listened to and acted on<\/p>\n
\u271a\u00a0Privacy and confidentiality of patients are respected and protected<\/p>\n
So, how confident can people be about the care and services they receive? Mr Rudkin said: \u201cPeople will walk into an environment which is very different to a regular shop. The standards of care and quality of services are independently regulated.\u201d<\/p>\n
Patients will also talk to staff who have been trained and educated and are there to keep customers and patients safe. Pharmacists undergo a five-year training programme that includes practice-based training. <\/span><\/p>\n The GPhC sets the standards for education and training of pharmacy staff and the standards that pharmacies have to meet for all aspects of their work. <\/span><\/p>\n One way the GPhC does this is through inspections. Experienced pharmacists and pharmacy technicians visit pharmacies across the country \u2013 they receive no notice of these visits \u2013 to make sure standards are being upheld. <\/span><\/p>\n Reports of these inspections are publicly available on the GPhC\u2019s website. It also works with pharmacy teams on Continual Professional Development (making sure their skills remain up to date) and revalidation (pharmacy professionals must renew their registration annually, showing they are competent and fit to practise). <\/span><\/p>\n Where there is a significant departure from standards, there is a \u201cvery thorough process\u201d by the GPhC to look into concerns, and the results are reported back to those who raised those concerns. <\/span><\/p>\n Accessibility is another key issue facing pharmacies, said Mr Rudkin. This includes physical access \u2013 pharmacies need to comply with disability legislation. The ability to get hold of the right information is also very important and GPhC\u2019s standards highlight the importance of patients\u2019 communication needs. <\/span><\/p>\n If someone has a concern about their pharmacy, Mr Rudkin suggested that, in the first instance, they should try to talk to the pharmacy and put their point of view. Sometimes this may not be appropriate and other ways of raising an issue might be better.<\/p>\n