In 2004, as part of the support to the NHS on the implementation of the community pharmacy contractual framework, PCC was asked to co-ordinate and support the work of SHAs and PCTs in developing a framework for assessing compliance and quality under the new contractual arrangements. Principles for the development of the framework were agreed by all stakeholders. The community pharmacy assurance framework is the result of that work and information on how it was developed can be found here. The first version was released in 2005, with an updated and extended version following in 2007. It has now been further updated to incorporate changes that have been made since 2007 to essential services, the clinical governance system and advanced services.
The framework is made up of a number of documents.
• Top ten tips - top ten tips for using the CPAF and undertaking monitoring visits.
SOPs - guidance on monitoring standard operating procedures
• Pre-visit questionnaire declaration – declaration which the contractor should sign to confirm the accuracy of the pre-visit questionnaire
• Individual documents for each of the essential services
1. Dispensing
2. Repeat dispensing
3. Disposal of unwanted medicines
4. Promotion of healthy lifestyles
5. Signposting
6. Support for self-care
• Clinical governance – The clinical governance CPAF document has also been updated to reflect the changes to the clinical governance system brought in last October and the approved particulars released on 30 March 2012.
• Individual documents for each of the advanced services
1. Medicines use review
2. Appliance use review
3. Stoma appliance customisation
4. New medicines service
Contractor feedback - a template to allow contractors to provide feedback on the visit to the PCT.
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