Introduction to Service Levels
As the breadth and complexity of pharmacy services expands, the QSPP has introduced tailored accreditation assessments based on the services a pharmacy delivers and the associated patient safety risks. Key tasks related to the delivery of pharmacy services can be found in Domain 2 Safely Delivering Medications and Pharmacy Services.
Clinical Governance and Leadership
Emphasises the importance of strong leadership and system for maintaining patient safety and clinical standards.
Safely Delivering Medications and Pharmacy Services
Underlines the significance of community engagement and collaboration to foser trust and deliver personalised care.
Partnering with Consumers and the Community
Focuses on ensuring safe and effective dispensing practices to support the delivery of quality pharmaceutical card and services.
Business Governance and Operations
Addresses the efficient and sustainable running of pharmacy businesses, enssuring their long-term viability, compliance and effective risk management.
Your service level is based on the highest-level service your pharmacy delivers.
Your QSPP accreditation assessment will cover that service level and the service levels below it. If you introduce a service at a higher level outside of your assessment cycle, you will need an additional expansion of service assessment.
Level 1: General Pharmacy Practice
Pharmacy services provided under this level cover a broad range of medical conditions and support a variety of consumers Pharmacists delivering level 1 services operate within the foundational scope of practice enabled by a pharmacy degree.
Examples of Level 1 services include:
- Dose Administration Aid (DAA) services
- Staged supply
- Oral opioid dependence treatment
- Blood pressure and blood glucose monitoring
- Issuing absence from work certificates
- Meds checks
A pharmacy delivers Level 1 services if it:
- Provides general pharmacy services such as the examples listed above
- Does not administer vaccines/therapeutic agents
- Does not offer prescribing services
Level 2: Vaccination and Medicine Administration Services
Pharmacy services involving administration of therapeutic agents following a detailed consultation. These services are protocol-driven and require pharmacists to have procedural competence, certification and the ability to administer first aid and CPR.
Examples of Level 2 services include:
- Immunisation against influenza, Covid-19 and other conditions as per the National Immunisation Schedule
- Administration of denosumab
- Administration of long-acting buprenorphine
A pharmacy delivers Level 2 services if, in addition to services in Level 1, it:
- Provides any vaccination or medicine administering services as outlined above
- Does not offer prescribing services
Level 3: Full Scope of Practice
Level 3 pharmacy services involve screening, diagnosing and treating (including prescribing medicines) certain health conditions. These services require comprehensive care to be delivered, and pharmacists require clinical and procedural competence, accreditation and first aid certification. These services must be provided in a private consultation room, and clinical records need to be kept.
Examples of level 3 services include:
- Prescribing hormonal contraception
- Diagnosis and treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infections
- Acute minor wound management
- Diagnosis and treatment of acute nausea and vomiting associated with gastroenteritis
A pharmacy delivers Level 3 services if, in addition to services in Level 1, it provides:
- Pharmacist prescribing services
- Vaccination and/or administration services
Level 4: Complex Compounding
The delivery of complex compounding services requires special competencies, equipment, processes and dedicated facilities. Risk assessments need to be conducted to ensure patient and staff safety, and robust quality assurance protocols need to be implemented to ensure consistency and efficacy of compounded medicines. Level 4 services will be assessed under an additional specialist assessment under QSPP.