professional regulation 2 Flashcards
what is there further guidance on to help the FTP committee make appropiate decisions?
sexual misconduct
dishonesty
duty of candor
raising concerns
discrimination
what does the guidance on sexual misconduct cover?
sexual harassment, sexual assault, physical examination of patients without consent or which are unnecessary and serious sexual offences (leading to a criminal offence)
Inappropriate (but not sexual) relationships with vulnerable patients or colleagues, where there is abuse of position or predatory behavior, will also be considered seriously
what should registrations be in terms of honesty?
‘trustworthy and act with honesty and
integrity
what effect does dishonesty have?
damages public confidence and trust in the
profession
if serious may be removed from register eg fraud
when should pharmacy professionals raise concerns?
- Challenge poor practice or behaviours
- Raising a concern, even when it is not easy to do so
- Promptly tell an employer and all relevant authorities (including the GPhC)
about concerns
what happens if someone fails to raise a concern?
can lead to failure in healthcare and cause
significant risk or harm to patients
Not raising concerns where patient safety is at risk is a serious aggravating factor in a FtP case
what happens once there is proven discrimination?
‘When a pharmacy professional displays discriminatory views and behaviour, and it has been proved, it will amount to a serious
breach of our professional standards
what is discrimination based on?
the protected characteristics listed in the
Equality Act 2010
do the FTP only consider discrimination in the workplace?
when interacting with patients or colleagues, or in their personal life or in a wider social
setting (including social media) will be considered
who is responsible for upholding/setting standards of practice/ professional standards?
GPHC
how does the GPHC uphold the standards?
- GPhC Inspectors visit registered pharmacies to monitor and
secure compliance with the standards. - The GPhC investigates complaints about registrants and
issues advice and guidance where appropriate. - If a registrant’s fitness to practise is impaired, the GPhC can
restrict or remove their ability to practise.
what are the current standards for the GPHC?
- Standards for pharmacy professionals
- Standards for the initial education and training for
pharmacists - Standards for the initial education and training for
pharmacy technicians - Standards for registered pharmacie
what is the purpose of a code of ethics?
protects public- ensures high stds
ensures pharmacy professionals work of highest standards and is seen to be so by the public
maintains public confidence
who does the code of ethics apply to?
pharmacists and pharmacy technicuans
what is the code of ethics designed to meet?
obligations set under the Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians Order 2007 and other relevant legislation
what are the current guidance documents for pharmacy professionals?
- Religion, personal values and beliefs
- Responding to complaints and concerns
- Raising concerns
- Maintaining clear sexual boundaries
- Confidentiality
- Consent
- Preparing unlicensed medicines
- Guidance for pharmacist prescribers
- Guidance on providing pharmacy services at a distance,
including on the internet (for registered pharmacies)
what is conflict of interest?
Conflicts can arise in situations where someone’s judgement may be influenced, or
perceived to be influenced, by a personal, financial or other interest
* Put the interests of patients before your own interests, or those of any colleague,
business, organisation, close family member or friend
what should you do if conflict of interest arises?
Be open about any conflict of interest you face, declaring it formally where
appropriate and as early as possible
* Ensure your professional judgment is not compromised by personal, financial or
commercial interests, incentives targets or similar measures
Refuse all but the most trivial gifts, favours or hospitality if accepting them could
be interpreted as an attempt to gain preferential treatment
what is the duty of candour?
Health professionals must be open and honest with patients when things go wrong
what is involved in the duty of candour?
- tell the patient (or, where appropriate, the patient’s advocate, carer or family) when something has gone wrong
- apologise to the patient (or, where appropriate, the patient’s advocate, carer or family)
- offer an appropriate remedy or support to put matters right (if possible); and
- explain fully to the patient (or, where appropriate, the patient’s advocate, carer or family) the short and long term effects of what has happened.
what is the GPHCs definition of revalidation?
“The process by which assurance of continuing fitness to
practise of registrants is provided and in a way which is aimed primarily at
supporting and enhancing professional practice.
what do pharmacy professionals have to complete and submit each year for revalidation?
- Pharmacy professionals have to complete and submit six revalidation records every year comprising of:
- four CPD records (of which, at least two must be planned learning activities)
- one record of a peer discussion
- one record of a reflective account, linked to one or more of the Standards for Pharmacy Professionals selected by the GPhC
how are revalidation records reviewed?
- Records will be selected to review – partly random and partly targeted
- If a record is selected and reviewed and passes, the registrant’s records
will not be selected for the next 2 years
when may some registrants have their records reviewed every year?
- If the registrant has previously had to undertake remedial measures following
a review of their records - if there is a history of poor compliance with any GPhC standards, or
- if records are submitted late without a good reason
what happens of the record falls below the standard?
the registrant may be entered into a period of remediation. This gives them another opportunity to submit the records
* If some of the review criteria are not met a second time the GPhC will follow the steps outlined in the statutory rules
what is indemnity insurance?
It is a legal requirement for pharmacy professionals to have in place professional indemnity insurance
* On registration/renewal with the GPhC you are required to acknowledge that you have appropriate insurance
* This can be provided by the employer or can be purchased by the professional
* It must provide appropriate cover for the work you do
