Teamwork

Question 1

What is the importance of teamwork (6)

Answer 1

1. Successful teams get results in all areas, and this is especially important in healthcare.
2. Working effectively with these people will give your customers a better, more efficient service.
3. Communication is vital for a team to work well with each other
4. people can feel isolated if they are not included in the conversation, and this results in a difficult working environment.
5. Most teams are made up of different types of people, and sometimes people adopt one or more of these roles in the team.
6. Outcomes of good teamwork will benefit you, your team, your patients and your organisation.

Question 2

What is your responsibility in regards to teamwork (4)

Answer 2

1. responsibility to your patients and customers to make sure you meet their healthcare needs accurately and safely.
2. To do this it is imperative that you have a good relationship with all the members of your team
3. you all work together and have the same goals.
4. This can only be done if your team, including you, is working well, and is systematic and organised.

Question 3

How can you work effectively in a team (5)

Answer 3

1. Everyone needs to know what their roles and responsibilities are.
2. You may be a counter assistant who goes into the dispensary to put the stocks away
3. You may be a dispensary assistant who works part time and helps the technician and pharmacist.
4. You need to know who you are working with, and what is expected of you to help the pharmacy run smoothly
5. you also need to know what the other members of your team are expected to do, and help them if necessary.

Question 4

What should you do when conflict arises (3)

Answer 4

1. In all cases you should involve your pharmacist/line manager, or both
2. follow the organisational procedure in your pharmacy.
3. You should not attempt to deal with something on your own without telling your pharmacist/line manager first.

Question 5

What is whistleblowing (3)

Answer 5

1. Whistleblowing is a term used when a concern is raised about conduct and/or procedures taking place within an organisation, which could adversely affect colleagues, patients, or the organisation itself.
2. Such concerns are usually regarding routine, rather than one-off occurrences, such as frequent dispensing errors resulting in negligence.
3. Awhistleblowing policyis essential for organisations to implement because it ensures employees, including locums, who raise concerns, are not subsequently victimised in any way.

Question 6

What does a whistleblowing policy cover (3)

Answer 6

1. A whistleblowing policy covers all employees of the company, including locums and temporary members of the team.
2. Where the concern does not cause environmental damage or a risk to the organisation or the public, but rather to an individual, then other procedures/policies may apply, such as the grievance procedure.
3. Similarly, complaints regarding other individuals in the company are not usually covered by a whistleblowing policy.

Question 7

What are examples of situations which can be reported under a whistleblowing policy (11)

Answer 7

1. Accepting a bribe
2. Asking a member of staff to do a job for which they are not qualified
3. Claiming for prescription items that were not dispensed
4. Disposing of medicine waste incorrectly to avoid charges (for example pouring medicines down the pharmacy sink)
5. Falsifying the Controlled Drugs register
6. Frequent dispensing errors (as opposed to a single event)
7. Re-dispensing patient-returned medicines
8. Pharmacy staff self-medicating with Prescription Only Medicines from the pharmacy
9. Sexually or physically abusing patients
10. Working when under the influence of alcohol or drugs
11. Covering up activities such as those described above

Question 8

What are examples of situations which are not covered by a whistleblowing policy (5)

Answer 8

1. Bullying, discrimination, harassment or other personal grievances
2. Complaints regarding working hours
3. Complaints from service users, their relatives or representatives
4. Disagreement with a colleague at work
5. Permission for a holiday that was not granted

Question 9

What do you do if there is a concern (England/NI/Wales) (4)

Answer 9

1. The pharmacy will have a whistleblowing policy, which covers the steps that need to be taken if there is a concern.
2. All those raising concerns should feel comfortable to do so openly, and the concern can be raised anonymously.
3. If the courts/law requires disclosure, the organisation needs to ensure the individual’s identity is kept confidential.
4. (England only) The pharmacy will have nominated a Freedom to Speak Up Guardian who can be contacted for independent advice and support; they are not a direct employer of the organisation or within the line of management chain. Contact details will be in the whistleblowing policy.

Question 10

What do you do if there is a concern (Scotland)

Answer 10

The pharmacy will have a whistleblowing policy, which covers the steps that need to be taken if there is a concern.