PSS-053 - Pharmacy Storage Solutions

"At Nottingham City Hospital, it took a little longer than I anticipated for the team to adapt and get used to the new furnishing and the new workflow. However, over the past 2 months, it has really come together. We have been able to relocate all stock into the main pharmacy room helping us to make better use of our resources. The increase in bench space means that the workflow is far better. We are also seeing a reduction in errors and near misses, because people are able to work more efficiently and there is less risk of things getting muddled or missed. We are seeing evidence of an improvement in the service to patients as a result of the refit, which is absolutely great. Thank you for working with us on this."

Mr Guy Wilkes, Managing director, Trust Pharmacy Services services( Nottingham) Ltd

Mr Patel, Fox and Medcalfe

“My NHS trust ran a project which required upgrades to our pharmacy dispensaries. I found PSS very engaging; they listened to our aims and made proposals that we had not considered. It was similar to buying a new kitchen – they designed the area with suggested workflows in mind and provided plans which included a variety of different units, maximising the functionality of the space. Their innovative design meant that we were able to make changes to our building specification, which resulted in a building saving. The installation had to be carefully planned as we had to maintain a working pharmacy - PSS did everything possible to enable a safe transition. Of course, there was never going to be enough budget to do everything we wanted– but as this is a modular system, we can add to it at any future time.”

Christine Saunders, Div. Planning and Dev. Lead, Royal Hampshire County Hospital, Winchester

“Richard and his team at PSS Ltd have a long-standing relationship with the pharmacy department at East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust. We have always relied upon their professionalism and expertise in developing the layout of the dispensaries at the Lister Hospital in Stevenage and the New QEII in Welwyn Garden City.”

Andrew Hood, Chief Pharmacist, LISTER HOSPITAL, Stevenage

“PSS Ltd, at short notice, were able to design and fit out the pharmacy at the New QEII hospital. We were very impressed with their flexibility and problem-solving ability in delivering a fantastic pharmacy. We now use PSS Ltd for all our fit-out requirements and this includes our retail unit at the Lister Hospital in Stevenage.”

Vikash Dodhia, Superintendent Pharmacist, ENH Pharma Ltd

“We were very pleased with the whole service of design and build. The refit was completed over 4 days with the dispensary moving into the temporary PSS ‘PortaPharma unit’ it was not at all what we were expecting. It arrived fully equipped with everything we needed and allowed us to give the patients an uninterrupted service whilst the refit was done. We also received positive comments from the patients. Well done PSS.”

Claire, Pharmacy Manager, COLLINGHAM Church View Surgery N. Yorks;

“For a long time, our dispensers had been struggling with storage for repeat prescriptions waiting to be collected. Our storage space never seemed big enough and we were on occasions storing boxes of bagged repeats on the floor. I attended a meeting at which Richard from PSS presented his solution to a never-ending problem. He did an onsite survey and came up with excellent solution -PSSOO4 Finished Script Unit. We had our storage solution fitted over a weekend with minimal disruption and had the waiting scripts back in place for Monday opening. Our dispensers are very pleased with the end result and our pull-out script drawers are working very well. I would highly recommend Richard and PSS.”

Dr Philip Koopowitz, WATLINGTON Medical Practice

“We are a medical centre based in Warwickshire with an attached dispensary. Richard and his team 7 years ago transformed our dispensary into a modern, efficient, lean and practical working space for our growing dispensary team. We couldn’t believe the difference. More recently we invited Richard in again to review our dispensary being moved to another area of the surgery to assist with COVID-19 19 restrictions and to move to a larger room as we have had an increase in patient numbers etc. Richard produced plans, which he worked on with the Practice manager and dispensary team until all elements were incorporated to ensure maximum use of the space. The remit was to get the refit completed ASAP, whilst COVID-19 restrictions were in place, so the surgery could allow more patients through their doors by Sept, as the weather would be changing (The car park was being used as a temporary holding ground). Richard sourced all the materials under the COVID-19 period, using Zoom to explain and meet remotely with the dispensary team. He planned in the re-fit in great details and completed everything within the agreed timescales. We are so pleased with the results and to be able to provide this change to our patients. Not only has this made a difference for managing COVID-19 and infection control practices through the surgery, but the working space is fantastic and very flexible to meet our demands”

Sarah Davies, Practice Manager, BUDBROKE Medical Practice, Warks

“The old dispensary was very tired and not fit for purpose, so I contacted PSS Ltd and spoke with Richard Kay, Director. Richard visited the practice and worked with me and my dispensary manager on a practical design that would address the issues we were having. Within a couple of days, we received computer graphics showing us the agreed proposals. Because we could actually see the recommended designs and visualise the recommended working solutions it made it easy for us to understand the proposal. Because we are a working GP practice having the refit during working hours would have created chaos therefore it was agreed that the PSS Ltd team would do the refit over a weekend. The PSS Ltd team were a credit to the company and left the practice with a pristine dispensary ready to be restocked. The results have been fantastic. The design has created more space than we anticipated, and we have managed to separate the working dispensary and the MDS area. The design enables both areas to work in harmony and the dispensary manager is able to move between both without any problem. It was a pleasure working with PSS Ltd and their service and professionalism was terrific. I have no hesitation in recommending them and would encourage you to try them."

Dave Harding, Practice Manager, SWINESHEAD Surgery, Lincs

“We recently invited PSS to visit our Pharmacy to assess our congestion with Scripts waiting and the general workflow within a busy dispensary. PSS completed a full survey and design for meeting the challenges within the space and operations. We have fully taken on-board their plans and have phased-in sections to be completed over a year. Our finished script system PSS 005 are a great improvement bringing order and a quicker process to the staff in handing out finished scripts bags. We are delighted with the speed and efficiency PSS have delivered.”

Faisal Shoukat, Director OVENDEN PHARMACY, Halifax

“Using PSS was a really enjoyable and rewarding experience. We choose PSS for their specialist product range and in house build services. Our new dispensary has made a real difference.”

Linda West, Dywen Dispensary

“The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust Pharmacy team worked with PSS on the end-to-end 250k refurbishment of the pharmacy stores area during 2020. The project took 6 months to complete. Bespoke shelving and storage solution where designed and fitted to support the unique shape of our pharmacy stores area. The team at PSS were very flexible working with our estate department and accommodating outside of pharmacy opening hours to reduce the impact on the service and stake holders. The attention to details and immediate response to request of change by the staff working with the storage solution was second to none. The aftercare still provided 6 months into the completion of the project has been excellent with the replacement of work surfaces, bumper edging and the changes to storage shelving as the department settled into the new shape and work processes for the store. The company provided personal care by attending MS team during COVID 19 and site meeting to work with on the project. The team were quick to respond to any request of change of plan or design allowing the team to try changes before a permanent change was made. PSS has made a huge difference to the department and the working environment for the pharmacy stores and distribution team going from an old collection of shelving and cupboards to a fit-for- purchase shelving to support the type of work we carry out in pharmacy. As a manager in the area I am delighted with the quality of work from PSS and the team approach - I have a happy workforce resulting in a productive happy work environment.”

Georgina Moore, Assistant Director of Pharmacy Operations and governance. The Royal Wolverhampton Hospital Trust

“PSS were chosen by the practice to help to update our dispensary with a focus to improve our service to patients and create a better environment for staff. Our practice understood the need to invest in the dispensary but had to meet objectives of stake holders and staff in the process to transformation the dispensary into more effective space. The business case had to deliver on many levels to be a valid exercise. From the outset PSS started this task with an examining and learning approach to our current processes. Listened carefully to our staff and stakeholders to understand our dispensary needs. Their clear understanding of the dispensing processes and creative use of space through design and build has delivered a much-improved dispensary layout, increased the dispensary size within the area with better use of space and existing resources. We have a much-improved work flow and better outcomes in stock control and processing of patients prescriptions. Overall staff and stake holders have a better working environment with improved patient satisfaction with our service. Finally, our business case for investing in the dispensary has met our expectations. “

A WhincupEast Bridgford Medical Centre