Accountability and Governance Standards for Pharmacies

Background

During March and April 2018, the PSI held 11 regional seminars for superintendent pharmacists to introduce the Corporate Strategy and to discuss areas of mutual interest, with PSI staff facilitating a wide range of discussions.

• Read the report on the main topics raised and feedback given at the seminars.
• View the presentation from the seminars.

Standards-based Approach

The development of Standards will be a new approach from the guidelines issued to date, in that standards provide concise, outcome-focussed statements against which a service provider establishes and delivers their service, and which the regulator can use to assess performance. The Standards will inform the public as to the standard of care and professionalism which they can expect to receive from a registered pharmacy – evidence that safe systems of care are in place and that these operate within clear accountability structures.

Process for the Development of the Standards

The process for the development of the Standards has been created following engagement with the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA), and closely aligns with their established process to develop national standards for health and social care. This process was recently updated following a substantial project in 2018 that involved a review of national and international evidence, engagement with national and international experts and application of HIQA’s knowledge and experience of the health and social care context.

• View the process for the development of PSI Standards

The Standards Advisory Group

To enable stakeholders to feed into the development process from an early stage, a Standards Advisory Group comprising key stakeholders, including those from the pharmacy sector and patient groups, together with independent experts, has been convened. The Standards Advisory Group will use their expertise to guide and inform the work of the PSI project team in the development of the standards to ensure that they are useful, practical and meet their objective.

• View the agenda and presentation from the Standards Advisory Group meeting held on 20 November 2018.
• View the agenda and presentation from the Standards Advisory Group meeting held on 26 March 2019.
• View the agenda and presentation from the Standards Advisory Group meeting held on 25 June 2019

Next steps

Please note that the Governance and Accountability Standards for Quality and Safety in Retail Pharmacy Businesses project is currently on hold. An update on this project will be provided when available.