Open Dispensaries

[culchie82]

You see it's the "visible and accessible" bit I have trouble with. You walk into a Doctor, Dentists, Solicitors, Accountants, they aren't automatically visible and accessible ie you're given an appointment time. If Pharmacy is to be considered a Profession like any of these, why give the impression that Pharmacists are available at the click of a finger, because that's what high visibility does.

[Shop Designer]

You see it's the "visible and accessible" bit I have trouble with. You walk into a Doctor, Dentists, Solicitors, Accountants, they aren't automatically visible and accessible ie you're given an appointment time. If Pharmacy is to be considered a Profession like any of these, why give the impression that Pharmacists are available at the click of a finger, because that's what high visibility does.

Ahhh,,,,, OK I get you, yes! If you were a client I would have you behind a medical counter at 920mm high, then behind possibly a mix of low level 1400mm and full height P'med units to have approx a 1400>2m wide gap of vision and access and then a peninsula (space allowing) projecting to close vision about 1500mm behind your No.1 dispensing point.

Sadly DDA reg's insist we no longer install raised floors unless we are given a compelling argument by the client we are being forced by Building control into removing these at every opportunity, so only visual barriers such as units and screens are open to us.

I would still offer the thought that this in general is the individuals own business and barriers between you (truthfully the only one with a vested interest in getting as much money from patients as possible) and the patient are barriers between the business owner and improved turnover and profitability.

[anit123]

I would still offer the thought that this in general is the individuals own business and barriers between you (truthfully the only one with a vested interest in getting as much money from patients as possible) and the patient are barriers between the business owner and improved turnover and profitability.

From a business point of view, that makes perfect sense. We don't see clothes shop assistants hidden away in offices until beckoned for a consultation for customer who would like to know if the red high heels are available in a size 5. Accessibility definately means profitability. But from the point of view of focussing on delivering a safe and efficient healthcare service, where a distraction that leads to a mistake could potentially cost someone's life, it's really not a good idea. The accessibility aspect for profitability could be far more effective through well-trained and motivated HCAs.

Plus I'm fed up of customers leaning over to ask me things that an HCA can answer, right while I'm in the middle of checking the safety of an anti-epileptic drug for a 5 year old, which has been presented on a handwritten hospital script. Seriously, no.

[culchie82]

Back to the same old thing though, give the impression that you're a shopkeeper and you'll be treated as a shopkeeper. The Multiples seem to increasingly favour these layouts, because it increases ease of access for the general Public but gives little regard to the extra stress it places on the staff working in them. It's maybe a little hard for a non-Pharmacist to appreciate this, but it's been discussed quite a bit on these forums, so be in no doubt how the average Pharmacist feels about them. As the poster above has mentioned, it may increase profitability but it doesnt lend itself to effective Healthcare.