Freedom Of Information

Publication Scheme for A & JM Sheppard Ltd.

Welcome to the Publication Scheme for A & JM Sheppard Ltd about NHS services provided as required by the Freedom of Information Act 2000

This Publication Scheme is a complete guide to the information made routinely available to the public about National Health Service Pharmaceutical Services.

How much does it cost?

The publications are free unless otherwise indicated.

How is the information made available?

The information is available from
Steve Davies MRPharmS
Superintendent Pharmacist
A & JM Sheppard Ltd
4 Mill Street
Trecynon
Aberdare
CF44 8NA

Class 1 - Who we are and what we do.

A & JM Sheppard Ltd (Sheppard’s Chemists) is a privately owned group of 27 independent pharmacies serving South Wales.

The registered office is at:
4 Mill Street,
Trecynon,
Aberdare.
CF44 8NA
Telephone: 01443 477773
Fax: 01443 477733

The locations of the individual pharmacies can be obtained via our website or by contacting us by letter or telephone at our registered office.

The company employs registered pharmacists to manage individual pharmacies. The company may also employ locum pharmacists. Our Pharmacists are supported by fully trained staff.

Details of key personnel at individual pharmacies may be obtained from our registered office.

Some information will be withheld, including personal, sensitive and confidential information about individuals that is protected by the Data protection Act.

A list of all our locations can be found on our website together with the opening hours of each pharmacy.

Practice leaflets displaying the pharmacy opening times are also available at individual pharmacies.

Class 2 – What we spend and how we spend it

All patients living in Wales registered with a general practitioner based in Wales are entitled to free prescriptions. No charge is payable for drugs or appliances supplied on a WP10 prescription.

Charges are applicable to some patients presenting English FP10 prescriptions for dispensing in Welsh pharmacies, however many patients presenting English FP10 prescriptions may be exempt from prescription charges if they fall into certain categories. Full details of patients entitled to free English prescriptions can be obtained from NHS Direct. www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk Telephone 0845 4647.

All the pharmacies in the A & JM Sheppard group are contracted to provide NHS services. Full details of remuneration for these services can be obtained from the Prescription Pricing Authority or can be viewed using the online version of the Drug Tariff. http://www.ppa.org.uk/ppa/edt_intro.htm

Information in this class will be published only where it does not and is not likely to adversely affect the commercial position of the firm or practice.

Class 3 – What our priorities are and how we are doing

Our aim as a company is to provide the highest standards of pharmaceutical service in the localities we serve. We endeavour to make our services available to all patients. We are continually reviewing and improving our premises to ensure accessibility to all patients. We provide free home delivery services to all patients that are unable to access the pharmacy. Our pharmacists and staff are fully trained in accordance with their roles and adhere to clear standard operating procedures. These procedures are designed to ensure the quality and safety of the services we provide.

Our pharmacies are routinely inspected by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, the Local Health Boards and members of the Community Health Council. As a part of our commitment to the NHS Pharmacy Contract we carry out a practice based audit on a service and make improvements where necessary. We participate in multi-disciplinary audits as required by the Local Health Boards.

We carry out an annual Patient Satisfaction Survey, results and outcomes of the surveys are held at our head office.

Class 4 – How we make decisions

NOT HELD

Class 5 – Our policies and procedures

Sheppard’s Standard Operating Procedures
Health and Safety policy
Complaints procedures (including those covering requests for information and operating the publication scheme)
Confidentiality and Data Protection policies

Class 6 – Lists and Registers

NOT HELD

Class 7 – The services we offer

(Note: All services may not be available at every branch)

*EHC supplied on a PGD is free to women under 25 years of age. Women outside this range are able to purchase EHC

NHS Funded services are provided free of charge to patients. Drugs and appliances dispensed on WP10 prescription forma are free of charge to patients. Drugs and appliances dispensed on FP10 prescriptions carry a levy for some groups of patients. See notes above.

Health promotion and Information leaflets are available at our pharmacies without charge