Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Pharmacy staff say reporting errors to improve pharmacy practice and help others learn

Last year, 95 per cent of the pharmacy staff have reported errors to improve pharmacy practice and 80 per cent to help others learn from mistakes, a recent study has found.

The survey conducted by the Community Pharmacy Patient Safety Group on patient safety culture in Autumn 2021 sought to understand patient safety practice from the perspective of frontline pharmacy teams.


According to the anonymous survey, the vast majority (91.4%) of respondents said the reporting procedure was “clear” or “very clear” and a similar proportion (91.6%) said they felt “fairly confident” or “completely confident” following reporting procedures correctly.

The study found that almost two thirds (65%) of respondents were aware of the change to the law, introduced in 2018, which provides a legal defence from criminal prosecution in the event of an inadvertent dispensing error. Of those who are aware of the change to the law, almost a third (29%) said they were more likely to report errors because of it.

Many respondents (59%) requested simpler reporting tools and a third (33%) indicated that training to support reporting would be beneficial. Over half of respondents said that they were either unfamiliar with the terminology “Just Culture” or didn’t know if their organisation followed the principles of it.

Victoria Steele, Chair of the Community Pharmacy Patient Safety Group said: “Community pharmacies deliver incredibly safe care. It will never be possible to eliminate all patient safety incidents in healthcare settings, including pharmacies, but reporting errors is essential if teams are to understand, investigate, learn from and ultimately prevent future incidents.

“We are really pleased to see high levels of confidence in reporting procedures and that teams are motivated to report errors in order to improve practice and share learnings. We note with interest that changes to the law have encouraged colleagues to report errors, however there is work to do to ensure all colleagues are aware of these changes.”

Steele added: “Whilst the results are promising, respondents also highlighted particular areas to support the reporting process including simpler reporting tools and increased training. We encourage contractors and policy makers to take this on board.

“In recent years, many within the pharmacy sector have also raised concerns about growing pressures on the community pharmacy workforce and its potential impact on patient safety. To enable colleagues to learn from errors, it is vital that pharmacy team members feel able to share when things go wrong, and businesses should instill a culture of openness and transparency to support this.”

More For You

Fourth Shift: Investment in Innovative Medicines Crucial for NHS 10-Year Plan Success

Medicines should be viewed as an investment rather than a cost

gettyimages

ABPI wants to see a ‘fourth shift’ in NHS 10-Year Health Plan


The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) has called on the government to increase investment in innovative medicines and vaccines, describing it as a crucial “fourth shift” necessary to ensure the NHS is fit for the future.

Keep ReadingShow less
Asda pharmacy launches UK’s first adult earache service

Asda makes ear health more accessible for everyone

gettyimages

Asda pharmacy launches £25 adult earache service

British supermarket chain Asda has launched the “UK’s first” adult earache service, aiming to reduce the burden on NHS services by eliminating the need for a GP appointment.

Priced at £25, the service allows patients aged 18 and over to book same-day appointments with qualified Asda pharmacists at any of its 226 pharmacies in England.

Keep ReadingShow less
Dr Penelope Dash new chair of NHS England

Dr Penny Dash is currently the chair of the NHS North West London Integrated Care Board

parliamentlive

Dr Penelope Dash appointed as new chair of NHS England

Dr Penny Dash has been appointed as the next chair of NHS England following an open public appointment process.

She will succeed Richard Meddings, who is set to step down next month, and her four-year term begins on April 1, 2025.

Keep ReadingShow less
Nearly two-thirds of people think the NHS should be prioritised to receive more public spending in the future

Nearly two-thirds of people think the NHS should be prioritised to receive more public spending in the future

gettyimages

Over 70% public unaware of NHS 10-Year Health Plan – poll finds

Despite widespread promotion, nearly three-quarters (73%) of the English public remain unaware of the government’s 10-Year Health Plan for the NHS, according to new polling by the Health Foundation and Ipsos.

Once informed about the plan, just over a third (35%) expressed confidence that it would lead to improvements in the health service, while 59% remained unconvinced.

Keep ReadingShow less
Hospices receive £25 million for facility upgrades and refurbishments

The finding will help reform the palliative and end of life care system

gettyimages

Hospices receive £25 million for facility upgrades and refurbishments


The government has confirmed the release of £25 million for upgrades and refurbishments for hospices across England, as part of the biggest investment into hospices in a generation.

Keep ReadingShow less