Practice Leaflet reminder for requirements in Wales

All pharmacies in England and Wales must produce a practice leaflet that complies with the Clinical Governance specification.

Practice Leaflet reminder for requirements in Wales

All pharmacies in England and Wales must produce a practice leaflet that complies with the specification. This ensures compliance with the clinical governance requirements for pharmacies set out in paragraph 26(2)(a)(i) of the Chemists Terms of Service require the pharmacy to "... produce in an approved manner, a practice leaflet containing approved particulars in respect of his pharmacy".  

The requirements for practice leaflets in Wales.

The practice leaflet published (in English or Welsh language) must include the following:

•1.    Name, address and telephone number of the pharmacy;

•2.    If owned by a company based elsewhere, the contact details for their head office;

•3.    Opening hours;

•4.    List or description of NHS services available at the pharmacy (including Advanced, but not necessarily Enhanced services);

•5.    Access arrangements for disabled customers;

"When the pharmacy is closed, health advice and information, including details of other local health services, is available round the clock from NHS Wales Direct. You can use:
- NHS Wales Direct online at http://www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk/
- The NHS  Direct Wales telephone service. Call 0845 4647";

•7.    Notice that the pharmacy is not obliged to serve violent or abusive customers;

•8.    Notice that the pharmacy complies with the Data Protection Act and the NHS code on confidentiality;

•9.    Detail of how to find out more about services offered, comment on those services, or make a complaint;

•10.  Contact details of the local LHB; and

•11.  The leaflet may, under a separate heading "Other services we provide", refer to healthcare-related non-NHS services provided by the pharmacy.

The leaflet must be printed using a plain font in minimum size 12 pt (the minimum size recommended by the Royal National Institute for the Blind), with sufficient contrast between print and background colour.

The leaflet in Wales must be branded with the NHS Wales logo and the pharmacy descriptor line "Providing NHS Services" in the bottom right hand corner on the first page. The NHS Wales logo must, as a registered trademark, be used in accordance with the NHS Wales identity guidelines   

A pharmacy/practice logo can be used as well, if the pharmacy has one.

Template leaflet

A template leaflet has been produced to assist pharmacy contractors in Wales with updating their own leaflets.

The template is available here.

NB This template is only provided as a guide.

The Practice leaflet requirements were agreed for use in Wales from February 2008. Contractors should be mindful of the current NHS reorganistion in Wales when considering the quantity of leaflets going to print at this time, to prevent unnecessary waste.

Posted Sunday October 26th 2008