The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Pharmacist steps up to go extra mile for patients during crisis
A Kirkcaldy pharmacist is living proof of just how people are going the extra mile to serve their local community during the Covid-19 lockdown.
During the first 12 days of the pandemic, Hannah McGowan – a pharmacist at Asda Kirkcaldy – went above and beyond to ensure she served those who needed prescriptions, including local taxi driver Bill Convery, who contracted coronavirus.
Bill was in desperate need of medication, so Hannah jumped in her own car to deliver a nebuliser, steroids, and Salbutamol right to Bill’s door.
Bill explained: “It only took half an hour from my phone call to get the medicine.
“After taking it, I was immediately able to breathe again.”
Getting the prescription started Bill’s recovery and by week two of feeling ill he was able to get out of bed every few hours, and make a cup of tea.
As well as making sure Bill got the medicine he needed, when the lead pharmacist in store had to self-isolate, Hannah again rose to the challenge by leading the pharmacy team, meaning no disruption to the essential services they provide.
Hannah’s determination to succeed saw her implement a pharmacy-only queue to the Kirkcaldy store, allowing vulnerable customers to get quick access, collect their prescription and leave promptly, meaning less risk for all customers and a much more manageable flow in the pharmacy.
Her hard work and dedication in this role saw non-urgent prescriptions being turned around in 24 hours compared to similar local services which were working to a 10-day turnaround.
“I work with such a great team in the Asda Kirkcaldy pharmacy – we all rose to the challenge together and chipped in to do our bit,” Hannah said.
“Implementation of the pharmacyonly queue made a real difference to our customers.”
It only took half an hour from my phone call to get the medicine. BILL CONVERY