A number of changes to clinical governance have been introduced which are aimed to strengthen and build upon current clinical governance requirements. These changes are:

• An addition to the existing requirement to publicise NHS services that are available at or from the pharmacy that clarifies that where a pharmacy advertises NHS Essential and Advanced services there should be an acknowledgement that these are funded by the NHS.
• Contractors are required to reflect on the results of their annual patient satisfaction survey, take any necessary action, and publish the results.
• All patient safety incidents are to be reported to the National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) or its successor organisation. Pharmacies should keep a patient safety incident log and near-miss log.
• A whistle blowing policy should be in place in pharmacies
• Patient safety notices, alerts and other communications concerning patient safety issued on behalf of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) or successor body, and the Department of Health should be acted upon within required timescales. Actions taken in response to the alerts should be recorded.
• Pharmacies should keep patients, staff and visitors safe by having systems to ensure that the risk of health care acquired infection to patients is minimised. Cleanliness and infection control measures should be proportionate to the activities being undertaken in the pharmacy.
• Premises should provide a professional healthcare environment. There should be a clear separation between the healthcare environment (where patients will receive NHS services) and the non-professional area of the pharmacy.

A six month transitional period has been introduced as it has been recognised that it may take time for community pharmacies to implement these changes.