Quality Development in the PSI
The PSI recognises the importance of quality in our work, both in terms of how we carry out our functions as well as how we formulate our strategies and how we interact with our stakeholders.
We believe that the public has the right to expect, and to receive, a high standard of care from pharmacists, and to know that pharmacies are operated to high standards. We believe that the public should always be able to trust pharmacists and pharmacies to deliver this standard of care and service. In seeking to provide continued assurance in an evolving healthcare, regulatory and public sphere, the PSI is also committed to ongoing development and improvement.
PSI Recognised for Excellence- 4 Stars
We committed to adopt the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) Model as the framework for quality development within the PSI, so we can be held accountable for our work. The EFQM Model is a non-prescriptive framework, created by a team of experts from industry and academia, that can be used to gain a holistic view of any organisation. Since its inception, the EFQM Model has been a blueprint for EFQM members and organisations to develop a culture of excellence, drive innovation, and improve results. Excellent organisations achieve and sustain outstanding levels of performance that meet or exceed the expectations of all their stakeholders.
Our journey to recognition began in late 2016 when we decided to explore achieving recognition under the EFQM Model. During 2017 and 2018 we did significant work in looking at the EFQM Model and assessing our organisation against the EFQM criteria. This assessment allowed us to take a step back and critically look at how we function as an organisation. It gave us the opportunity to identify our strengths, weaknesses and areas for improvement. It also opened up the opportunity to meet with and learn from other organisations who have achieved EFQM Excellence. We made our submission to EFQM for external assessment in June 2019. This covered everything from business processes and strategy development to customer and staff engagement. EFQM assessors visited the PSI for two days in July 2019. During the on-site visit, the assessors interviewed and held focus groups with staff to validate and confirm the information in the submission document, following which we received our four-star recognition and value-adding strategic feedback.
We are an organisation that seeks to achieve and sustain results that meet the needs of the organisation, its stakeholders and society, and we will continue to do so as we continue on our EFQM journey. We are continuing our EFQM journey.
Innovation in the PSI
We have signed up to the Declaration on Public Service Innovation in Ireland, which is developed as part of the all-of-Government reform and development framework – Our Public Service 2020. This signifies our commitment to promoting and developing a culture of innovation in all that we do. Through our core value of embracing change, we are focussed on innovating and adapting to achieve results and continuously improve. We continue to identify and promote opportunities for developing new and improved ways of working and delivering better services for the public.
We have also commenced a digital transformation journey that will bring numerous benefits to the PSI and its registrants, and will deliver an effective and efficient digital service to members of the public. Read more about our Business Transformation Programme.