Welcome to R.D. & M.R. Parry (Chemists) Ltd
Your local Independent Pharmacy

Freedom of Information Act 2000

NHS WALES PUBLICATION SCHEME FOR COMMUNITY PHARMACISTS

RD & MR PARRY (CHEMISTS) LTD,
THE SQUARE PHARMACY,
1 BARGOED TERRACE,
TREHARRIS,
CF46 5RB.
www.parryschemist.co.uk

Welcome to The Square Pharmacy Publication Scheme.

This is the Publication Scheme for the registered Pharmacist, Mr Martin Parry at The Square Pharmacy.

This guide is a legal requirement of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and is compiled in three parts namely:

(A) Introduction
(B) Classes of Information
(C) Useful Resources / Publications

(A) INTRODUCTION

This Publication Scheme is a complete guide to the information routinely made available to the public by The Square Pharmacy, and its employees. It will be reviewed at regular intervals and we will monitor its effectiveness. Some information will be withheld, including personal, sensitive and confidential information about individuals that is protected by the Data Protection Act.

How much does it cost?

The publications are all free unless otherwise indicated within each Class, Where information is provided at a cost the charges will be calculated as set out in Class 7.

How is the information made available?

The information within each Class is available in hard copy from Mr Martin Parry at the address stated on the top of this page.

Your rights to information

  • In addition to accessing the information identified in the Publication Scheme, you are entitled to request information about The Square Pharmacy under the Code of Practice on Openness in the NHS issued by the Welsh Office in 1995.
  • The Freedom of Information Act 2000 recognises everyone has the right to know how public services are organised and run, how much they cost and how the decisions are made.
    From January 1st 2005 it will require all Pharmacies to respond to requests about information that it holds about NHS Pharmaceutical Services, and it will create a right of access to that information. These rights are subject to some exemptions that have to be taken into consideration before deciding what information it can release.
  • New environmental information regulations will be introduced in 2003. These will enable similar access to environmental information as under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
  • Under the Data Protection Act 1998, you are also entitled to access your medication records or any other personal information held about you. To do this contact Mr Martin Parry at The Square Pharmacy (Tel. 01443 410268).
  • The Freedom of Information Act 2000 does not change the right of patients to protection of their patient confidentiality in accordance with Article 8 of the Human Rights Convention, the Data Protection Act and at common law. Maintaining the legal right to patient confidentiality continues to be an important commitment on our part.

Feedback

If you have any comments about the operation of the Publication Scheme, or how we have dealt with your request for information from the Publication Scheme, please write to Mr Martin Parry at the address stated at the top of page one.


(B) CLASSES OF INFORMATION

All information at The Square Pharmacy is held, retained and destroyed in accordance with NHS Wales guidelines. Our commitment to publish information excludes any information that can be legitimately withheld under the exemptions set out in the Code of Practice on Openness in the NHS or the Freedom of Information Act 2000. Where individual Classes are subject to exemptions, the main reasons are primarily the protection of commercial interests and personal information under the Data Protection Act 1998. This applies to all Classes within the Publication Scheme. The information on this Scheme is grouped into the following broad categories:

1. Who we are

Class Description: Details of the Pharmacy, organisational structures, key personnel and how we fit in to the NHS

Figure 1 depicts the legislative and operating structure of the NHS in Wales and shows how independent contractors like ours fit within the context of Local Health Boards (LHBs).


Figure 1. Legislative and operating structure of the NHS in Wales.

There are over 2,200 Community Pharmacists employed in Wales today. More than half of these work in the 700 Community Pharmacies that exist in Wales. The complete list of persons who undertake to provide pharmaceutical services to NHS Wales in the Merthyr Tydfil LHB area is available from the Merthyr Tydfil Local Health Board (LHB) by writing to:

Merthyr Tydfil Local Health Board
Triangle Business Park
Pentrebach
Merthyr Tydfil
CF48 4TQ

Phone 01685 358500
email: contactus@merthyrtydfillhb.wales.nhs.uk

Pharmaceutical Services - the Merthyr Tydfil LHB has made arrangements with The Square Pharmacy for the provision of pharmaceutical services under section 41 of the National Health Act. The Pharmacy is contracted to provide a range of NHS Wales services. (A full list of these will appear below in Class 2).

It is a requirement that The Square Pharmacy and any pharmacist employed therein are registered with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain.

Local Pharmaceutical Services Scheme - under the Health and Social Care Act, which amends the NHS Act, arrangements have been made for the establishment of Local Pharmaceutical Services Schemes by a Local Health Board. First wave pilots have been announced but have not yet gone live. Regulations are in place. The Square Pharmacy or the registered Pharmacists will be providing Local Pharmaceutical Services under a Local Pharmaceutical Services Scheme established by the Merthyr Tydfil Local Health Board.

The Pharmacy Superintendent / Manager is Mr Martin Parry who was first registered with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain in 1982. Other key roles are:

Mrs Karen Jennick (The Society of Apothecaries of London Dispensing Technician Certificate and City and Guilds Dispensing Technician Certificate)
Mrs Carol Jenkins (Dispensing Assistant)
Mrs Helene Jones (working towards BTEC National Certificate in Pharmacy Services and NVQ Level 3 Pharmacy Services)

On occasions, The Square Pharmacy may also employ specially selected Locum Pharmacists.

2. Our Services

Class Description: The range of services we provide under contract and free of charge to the NHS

The following range of services are provided under contract to NHS Wales by The Square Pharmacy:

  • Dispensing of NHS prescriptions for drugs, medicines and Drug Tariff listed appliances
  • Record keeping for dispensed medicines
  • Provision of oxygen supply
  • Repeat prescriptions
  • Services to Residential and nursing homes
  • Syringe and needle exchange
  • Safe disposal of unwanted medicines
  • Instalment dispensing to drug misusers

The following range of services are provided by The Square Pharmacy without NHS remuneration:

  • Advice from the Pharmacist
  • Prescription delivery
  • Confidential help and advice
  • Emergency medication supplies *
  • Smoking cessation support
  • Dispensing of private and veterinary prescriptions *
  • Pregnancy testing *

* These services are provided free of charge to NHS Wales, however, a charge may be levied to the patient.

Opening times:
Monday to Friday 9.00am to 6.00pm
Saturday 9.00am to 5.00pm
No Lunchtime closure

Emergency cover by Dowlais Pharmacy, 82/83 Victoria Street, Dowlais.
Sunday: 11.30am to 12.30pm and 6.00pm to 7.00pm
Bank Holiday: 11.30am to 12.30pm and 6.00pm to 7.00pm
Special Bank Holiday: 11.30am to 12.30pm and 6.00pm to 7.00pm

The Square Pharmacy does not currently possess disabled access, however this situation is currently under review. Customer seating is provided inside the pharmacy.

The Square Pharmacy practice leaflet, which is available at the aforementioned address and our Website at www.parryschemist.co.uk contain further information on the services we provide.

Patient medication records (PMRs) are an invaluable tool, which enhance patient care by helping the Pharmacist to identify dangerous drug interactions. In addition, PMRs allow over-the-counter medicines to be sold appropriately. Information stored in PMRs is secure and confidential; The Square Pharmacy policy regarding confidentiality can be discussed with Mr. Martin Parry (Tel. 01443 410268).

The inclusion of The Square Pharmacy on the Merthyr Tydfil LHB Pharmaceutical list is subject to Terms of Service for Chemists, these can be obtained from Merthyr Tydfil LHB at the address stated in the previous section.

3. Financial and funding information

Class Description: Funding details and charging policies

Many patients are entitled to free prescriptions; no charge is payable for drugs or appliances supplied for:

  • Anyone under 25 years old
  • Anyone aged 60 years and above
  • Expectant mothers and women who have given birth to a child in the last 12 months in possession of a maternity exemption certificate
  • People suffering from the following specified conditions, who have been issued with the appropriate medical exemption certificate:
    • Permanent fistula (e.g. colostomy) requiring continuous surgical dressing or appliance.
    • Forms of hypoadrenalism for which specific substitution therapy is essential.
    • Diabetes insipidus and other forms of hypopituitarism.
    • Diabetes mellitus except where treatment is by diet alone.
    • Hypoparathyroidism.
    • Myasthenia gravis.
    • Myxoedema (Hypothyroidism) or, in accordance with the application form FP92A, other conditions where supplemental thyroid hormone is necessary.
    • Epilepsy requiring continuous anti-convulsive therapy.
    • A continuing physical disability which prevents the patient leaving his/her residence except with the help of another person, (this does not mean a temporary disability even if it is likely to last a few months).
  • People, and their partners, receiving income support or income based job seeker’s allowance
  • People, and their partners getting "new" tax credit who have:
    • Annual income of £14,200 or less (shown on their tax credit award)
    • Working tax credit with child tax credit
    • Working tax credit, which includes a disability element
    • Child tax credit but are not eligible for working tax credit because, for example, they do not work 16 hours per week
  • People, and their partners who are named on a NHS Charges HC2 certificate
  • Prescription prepayment certificate (FP96) holders
  • War pensioners holding a war pension exemption certificate for prescriptions needed for treating their accepted disablement

For those patients who are non-exempt, the cost of each prescription item is £6.00. This charge is paid directly to the NHS, it does not go to the Pharmacist. The Pharmacist is paid a dispensing fee of 94.6 pence per item by the NHS, this amount may be slightly higher if, for example, the Pharmacist has to measure the patient for compression hosiery (stockings).

The NHS levy charge is considerably less than the average cost of a dispensed item, which was £10.21 in 2002 in Wales.

For people who have more than 14 prescription items in a 12-month period it may be more cost effective to buy a prescription prepayment certificate. Prepayment certificates cost £31.40 for 4 months and £86.20 for 12 months, these entitle the holder to free prescriptions over the specified time period. A prepayment certificate application form is obtainable from The Square Pharmacy or they can be purchased over the phone (tel. 0845 850 0030), alternatively they can be bought online at: www.ppa.org.uk/ppa/ppc_intro.htm

Some information in this class may not be released because it is confidential or commercial information or its release may be prejudicial to the conduct of the pharmacy's affairs.

4. Information about Policies, Prescribing and Prescriptions

Class Description: Protocols in relation to prescribing protocols and standard operating procedures relating to the dispensing of prescriptions and data protection

The Square Pharmacy operates protocols with regards to the sale of OTC medicines, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) will be in place by January 2005 with regard to the dispensing of prescriptions.

We possess full Public and Employers’ Liability Insurance.


5. Regular publications and information for the public

Class Description: Guidance and information leaflets

The Square Pharmacy stocks a range of health information leaflets available free of charge. The titles displayed are reviewed regularly, those currently available include:

  • Diabetes Workshop
  • Meningitis C
  • Meningitis Symptoms
  • Introducing Arthritis
  • Hepatitis C
  • Pollen Guide
  • Threadworm
  • Your Information Your Rights (NHS Wales)
  • Mobile phones and Health
  • Generic Medicines
  • Holiday Bag (travel medicines)
  • Your Local Health Service (NHS Wales)
  • Penalty Charges Explained

6. Complaints

Class Description: Policies, procedures and contacts for complaints

The Square Pharmacy takes any complaint very seriously, to enable us to deal with any complaints effectively we have a written procedure laid out which is inline with the Pharmaceutical Services Regulations and the NHS complaints policy. Hard copies of the complaints procedure are available from the Pharmacy.

All complaints should be addressed to Mr Martin Parry (Superintendent Pharmacist) at the aforementioned address. If we cannot resolve the complaint, or you do not wish to raise the issue directly with us please contact Merthyr Tydfil LHB.


7. This Publication Scheme

Class Description: In this class we will publish any changes we make to this Publication Scheme, the criteria on which our information management policies are made and a referral point for all enquires regarding information management generally in the practice. We will also publish any proposed changes or additions to publications already available.


Cost of Information

For the most part, we will charge you only for hard copies, although some information is available free. The charges will vary according to how information is made available. Charges are as follows:

a) Via the Merthyr Tydfil LHB website - free of charge, although any charges for Internet Service provider and personal printing costs would have to be met by the individual.

For those without Internet access, a single printout as on the website would be available by post from Mr Martin Parry at the aforementioned address. Requests for printouts, or for archived copies of documents that are no longer accessible or available on the web, will attract a charge for the retrieval, photocopy, postage etc. We will let you know the cost and charges that will have to be paid in advance. We will not provide printouts of other organisation’s websites.

b) Leaflets and brochures - free of charge, the range of healthcare leaflets and booklets available from The Square Pharmacy are listed in section 5.

The charges will be reviewed regularly.


(C) USEFUL RESOURCES / PUBLICATIONS

Web sites:
www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk
This is the Information Commissioner’s web site.

www.lcd.gov.uk
This is the Lord Chancellor’s Department web site.

www.wales.nhs.uk/foi
This is the NHS Wales Freedom of Information web site.

www.wales.nhs.uk/lhg/home.cfm?orgid=263
This is the Merthyr Tydfil LHB Website.

www.rpsgb.org.uk
This is the website of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain.

www.parryschemist.co.uk
This is The Square Pharmacy Website

Publications


Copyright

Material available through this Publication Scheme is subject to Square Pharmacy’s copyright unless otherwise indicated. Unless expressly indicated to the contrary, it may be reproduced free of charge in any format or medium provided it is done so accurately in a manner that will not mislead. Where items are re-published or copied to others, you must identify the source and acknowledge copyright status. This permit does not extend to third party material, accessed through the scheme. For HMSO Guidance Notes see www.hmso.gov.uk/guides.htm

or contact:

HMSO Licensing Division,
St Clements House,
2-16 Colegate,
Norwich
NR3 1BQ.
Tel: 01603 621000
Fax: 01603 723000