NEWS Code of Conduct for Pharmacy
The Pharmaceutical Society NI has launched its new Code (Professional standards of conduct, ethics and performance for pharmacists in Northern Ireland) earlier this year.
President Dr Jim Livingstone said at the time, “The new Code seeks to modernise the principles to be followed by pharmacists in practise. We know that in reality, the principles set out in this document are followed day and daily by the vast majority of pharmacists in NI, and they recognise the importance and value to both patients and the profession.”
The new code has seen the reduction of key principles from 8 in the 2009 Code to five in the current code.
The five principles in the new code are:
PRINCIPLE 1: ALWAYS PUT THE PATIENT FIRST
PRINCIPLE 2: PROVIDE A SAFE AND QUALITY SERVICE
PRINCIPLE 3: ACT WITH PROFESSIONALISM AND INTEGRITY AT ALL TIMES
PRINCIPLE 4: COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY AND WORK PROPERLY WITH COLLEAGUES
PRINCIPLE 5: MAINTAIN AND DEVELOP YOUR KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND COMPETENCE
The last issue of Pharmacy in Focus detailed the first two of these codes and below we conclude the next three.
Principle Three: Act with professionalism and integrity at all times Being a member of the pharmacy profession is a privilege and brings with it many benefits, butalso obligations. All registrants must act with honesty and integrity, at all times. Your professional values, conduct, behaviour and relationships must be above reproach. Justify the trust that patients and service users put in you as a professional.
Your behaviour and professionalism are judged by what you do both inside and outside your work environment. Be a role model for other registrants and for colleagues in the broader multi-professional healthcare team.
You Must: 3.1.1 Adhere to accepted and acceptable standards of personal and professional conduct at all times both inside and outside your work environment.
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3.1.2 Maintain public trust and confidence in your profession by acting with honesty and integrity in your dealings with others. This applies to your professional, business and educational activities.
3.1.3When providing information or advice, in whatever format, do so accurately, clearly and unambiguously.
3.1.4 Honour commitments, agreements and arrangements for the provision of professional services.
3.1.5 Conduct research and development with integrity and obtain any necessary approval from the appropriate authorities.
3.1.6 Promptly inform the regulator, your employer and other relevant authorities of any circumstances that may call into question your fitness to practise or has the potential to bring the profession of pharmacy into disrepute.
3.1.7 Make sure that any documents you complete or sign are not false or misleading, or contain false or misleading information. Take all steps that are reasonably necessary to ensure that recorded information is correct and complete. Do not omit relevant information.
Standard 3.2: Maintain professional boundaries
3.2.1 Maintain proper and appropriate relationships with patients and service users. Take special care when dealing with vulnerable individuals, both adults and children
3.2.2 Ensure that your professional judgement is not compromised by personal or commercial interests, incentives, targets or similar measures.
Standard 3.3: Use social networking and electronic communication appropriately
3.3.1 Ensure appropriate and responsible use of social networking sites and other forms of electronic communication.
Standard 3.4: Be open and honest in relation to legal or disciplinary proceedings
3.4.1 Co-operate with any investigation into the fitness to practise of either yourself or another healthcare professional.
3.4.2 Abide by any undertakings you give and/or any restrictions placed on your practice.
PRINCIPLE 1: ALWAYS PUT THE PATIENT FIRST PRINCIPLE 2: PROVIDE A SAFE AND QUALITY SERVICE PRINCIPLE 3: ACT WITH PROFESSIONALISM AND INTEGRITY AT ALL TIMES PRINCIPLE 4: COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY AND WORK PROPERLY WITH COLLEAGUES PRINCIPLE 5: MAINTAIN AND DEVELOP YOUR KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND COMPETENCE
THE CODE
Professional standards of conduct, ethics and performance for pharmacists in Northern Ireland
Effective from 1 March 2016
4.4.3 Ensure the provision of an acceptable and proper standard of professional service by you and those working under your direct supervision.
4.4.4 Contribute to the development, education and training of colleagues and students, sharing relevant knowledge, skills and expertise.
4.4.5 Take all reasonable steps to ensure that those persons you employ, or supervise, comply with all legal and professional requirements and best practice guidance.
4.4.6 Be honest and objective when appraising the performance of others.
Principle 4: Communicate effectively and work properly with colleagues Good communication is at the heart of effective working relationships with patients, service users, colleagues and other healthcare professionals; this builds confidence and respect across all areas of the healthcare team.
Having respect for each other’s roles, and understanding what you are accountable for, will ensure effective team working.
You Must: Standard 4.1: Communicate effectively
4.1.1 Listen to patients and service users, respect the choices they make about their treatment and care and respond appropriately to their need(s).
4.1.2 Provide information that the patient or service user either requests or requires about their treatment and care, in a way that they can understand so they are engaged and supported to use or take their medicines safely and effectively.
4.1.3 Communicate clearly and effectively with patients and service users and take reasonable steps to meet their language and communication needs. You may need to check for mutual understanding where appropriate.
Standard 4.4: Supervise and delegate effectively
4.4.1 Take personal responsibility for all work carried out by you and by others under your supervision.
4.4.2 Ensure that individuals to whom you delegate tasks are fit to practise, competent to carry out such tasks and have undertaken, or are in the process of undertaking, the training required for their duties.
4.4.7 Be supportive of colleagues with performance or health issues while having due regard for patient and public safety.
Principle 5: Maintain and develop your knowledge, skills and competence
The greatest benefit to patient safety will be achieved by keeping your knowledge, skills and competence up to date throughout your working life.
Lifelong learning enables you to keep abreast of change in your professional practice and is essential for the safe and effective practice of pharmacy.
Reflect continually on your practice and act on feedback to improve your practice. Maintain a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) portfolio by systematically recording your reflections, learning aims, activities and outcomes.
Apply all relevant knowledge, skill and experience in order to maintain the requisite standards of professional practice and patient-centred care.
You Must: Standard 5.1: Maintain and Develop professional knowledge, skills and competence
5.1.1 Practise only when you are competent and fit to do so.
5.1.2 Identify development needs and undertake continuing professional development (CPD) relevant to your scope of practice and maintain appropriate records.
5.1.3 Keep your knowledge and skills up to date, evidence-based and relevant to your scope of practice.
5.1.4 Apply your knowledge and experience appropriately to your scope of practice.
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