Page 4 - P4304.1-V95_PS-Magazine-March 2024 PRINT

ENHANCING

YOUR IMAGE:

The Dispensary Services

Quality Scheme (DSQS)

By Caroline Pond

In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, ensuring the
highest standards of patient care is paramount, however
we are all busy and sometimes workload pressures prevent
us from doing adequate self-audit of the measures we
should have in place to ensure our dispensaries are safe and
effective.
I do know though, that this is on your radar because I have
had quite a few questions recently about marketing your
services to prevent patients moving to pharmacy dispensing.
I expect that some of this flux has been caused by stock
shortages but also it will be in light of the extensive service
portfolio now being offered by pharmacy under the ‘Pharmacy
First Scheme’. This scheme which is currently being launched
will offer numerous clinical services to patients aimed a
improving patient care. It will though, elevate the status of the
pharmacist as a clinician and I am sure will be accompanied
with extensive marketing of the services available. I plan to
write about Pharmacy First more in the near future as the
initiative finds pace so watch this space. What you do need
to do though, is make sure your offering is as good as is can
be and one of the initiatives you have to hand, that supports
self-improvement, is DSQS. If you embrace this scheme and
really put some effort into the elements that it is consisted of,
I believe you will elevate your image in the eyes of your staff
and customers (patients). You can also use its ‘rubber stamp’
of quality in your marketing.

05/02/2024 15:57:36
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P4304.1-V95_PS-Magazine-March 2024.indd 4 05/02/2024 15:57:36