All NHS Providers, including community pharmacies, need to provide information governance assurances to the NHS on an  annual basis. This is done via the completion of the online information governance toolkit (Version 11).
 
The deadline for submission of the 2013/14 return is 
31 March 2014.
 
Further information on the information governance requirements for this year can be found on the PSNC Webiste.  This can be accessed by clicking HERE.

Back in November 2013 the GPHC moved to a new model of inspections.The new model aims to boost standards in pharmacy by promoting professionalism and a ‘patient-centred’ approach. Pharmacies will be divided into four categories (poor, satisfactory, good and excellent) based on their ability to comply with five principles set out in the Standards for registered pharmacies, GPhC September 2012 and it moves away from a prescriptive and rules-based approach, and instead focus on what pharmacies should be seeking to achieve.

Depending on how pharmacies score, they will be put into one of four categories: poor, satisfactory, good or excellent. A major failure to comply with standards would put pharmacies into the poor category and, if their failings posed a risk to patient safety, pharmacies would have 10 days to draw up an action plan to correct the breach. Pharmacy ratings will not initially be published, but this is set to change this year, once the legislation surrounding the GPhC premises standards comes into force.  Results from inspections made after that point will be made public.

The five principles are:

1. Ability to identify and manage risks
Ensure you have thought about training, premises standards and the records you keep. In addition to providing a risk-free environment for patients.

2. Empowered and competent staff
Staff should be fully trained to undertake services offered.

3. How you manage the pharmacy premises Premises must be clean, hygienic and include options to protect patient confidentiality.

4. How you deliver pharmacy services
Medicines should be brought from reputable organisations and stored appropriately. In addition to offering patient accessibility.

5. Equipment and facilities
Equipment being used should be used accurately and staff should be trained to use them.

When being assessed against these prinicples, pharmacies would need to demonstrate how they complied with standards, rather than simply supplying documentation. It won’t be enough to have printed SOPs – it’s whether they reflect what’s actually happening in the pharmacy that is important.

Locally the inspections using the new model have started and som of our contractors and committee members have reported that the inspection feel different but are not something to fear.

Tracy Groves, (One of our committee members) and a contractor in Gateshead was one of the first to be inspected and has written a Guest Blog for us to give you an idea of the process. Her blog and other useful resources are listed below.

HELPFUL RESOURCES

An Inspector Calls - Guest Blog (Inspection from a Pharmacist Point of View)
Tracy's blog can be read here.

GPHC Resources
The GPHC have produced a useful resource website which will help contractors understand the new model and the standards.
This can be accessed here.

Webinar
The IPF (Independent Pharmacy Federation)  and the GPHC are also putting on webinar on the 29th January 2014 at 7.30pm. about the new Inspection model.   You can register for this by clicking here. (You do NOT need to be a member of the IPF to join in)

NPA Resources – for members only
The NPA has launched an extensive range of resources to help members prepare for the new GPhC premises inspections and ratings model.   Supporting templates have also been produced to assist pharmacy owners in grading their pharmacy and thus start a plan of action on areas requiring improvement.    NPATV also features support videos from the GPhC’s Inspection Team explaining what the inspectors are looking for, tips for what makes a good inspection and mistakes to avoid.

To further support NPA Members, the NPA will be giving you advice on each principle over the next few weeks, starting with principle 1.

Back in November the LPC was seeking expressions of interest in a counter measure initiative for the area team.  There have been some unplanned delays so the LPC have re-activated the application form to allow more Pharmacies to nominate themselves.

If you nominated yourself last time you do NOT need to put yourself forward again.  

Full information is contained HERE

As we wave goodbye to 2013, I'd like to post a few words to all and would like to wish all contractors and staff a really HappyNew Year!
 
Last year was a difficult one for contractors and we faced many challenges. The changes to the NHS structure was responsible for many of these. Locally the changes made it very difficult to know who to send your claim to...and even then, the payment didn't always come in a timely manner - in fact I've heard of contractors that were having to wait sometimes 6 months for payments and the lack of new services was frustrating. Nationally, we faced an enormous strain with stock shortages and the lack of a financial settlement.
 
But we are where we are; a bright shiny New Year, full of hope and optimism...and perhaps this year things will be different. The recent paper sponsored by the RPS "Now or Never" helped to focus minds; and now we have a "call to action" to try and build anew pharmaceutical service fit for the future - service based and quality driven - with less emphasis on dispensing for our income stream.
 
So, I'd like to close this message by once again wishing you all a happy new year. Rest assured that your LPC is perfectly placed to influence and manage any changes that we might encounter; we will keep you informed via the website and newsfeed.
                                                   Best Wishes