Pharmacy staff feeling valued as they keep the medicines flowing
JACKIE BUXTON, chief officer of Community Pharmacy Derbyshire, answers questions about how the services are running during the Covid-19 lockdown
PHARMACY professionals in Derbyshire and across the country are working on the frontline to support their patients.
We feel very valued at this time by our communities and have had some wonderful feedback from grateful customers; we’ve even made the headlines!
I thought it would be helpful this month to answer a few of the questions which I know myself and my colleagues have been asked in relation to the coronavirus pandemic in relation to pharmacies. So here we go.
Will my pharmacy be open as usual?
Some may need to adjust their opening hours or close for periods during the day to ensure that prescriptions are dispensed safely and that all staff can take necessary breaks. Pharmacies will clearly display messages on their doors / websites / social media sites to keep the public informed if they have to close, along with advice of what to do if you need urgent medicine or advice.
What social distancing measures are there in Derbyshire’s pharmacies?
Social distancing is the most effective protection against the spread of Covid-19. Pharmacies are making changes to support social distancing such as limiting the number of people allowed in at any one time or putting up plastic screens or barriers around the pharmacy counter.
Can the pharmacy give me advice and medicines to help me treat symptoms of coronavirus?
Do not go into a pharmacy, GP or hospital if you or someone you live with has coronavirus symptoms (high temperature or a new, continuous cough).
If you need help or advice, please telephone your local pharmacy and talk to the pharmacist who will be happy to advise you. If you do not have anyone to collect medicines for you, some pharmacies may be able to deliver medicines to you, or may be able to refer you to a local volunteer group who can help.
Read the NHS advice on what to do if you or a family member has symptoms of coronavirus: https://www. nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
My pharmacy is unable to deliver medicines to me, even though I need to selfisolate. What should I do?
We understand the challenges some people may be experiencing in getting medicines while you self-isolate.
While many pharmacies offer a delivery service, this is not part of our NHS contracted service. Therefore, not all pharmacies are able to provide this service. We also recognise all pharmacies are working under significant pressure at the moment because of coronavirus and may not have enough capacity or resources to deliver medicines to everyone who is self-isolating.
We would recommend you ask neighbours, friends or family if they would be able to collect your medicines on your behalf and then knock on your door at an agreed time, stand back, and allow you to safely pick up any medicines off your doorstep. There are also local and national initiatives using volunteers which can be mobilised to provide support to you or pharmacies in making deliveries to vulnerable patients.
Your pharmacy can provide you with more information about this. If you have received a letter confirming you are on the list of shielded people your pharmacy will help you ensure you can get your medicines safely.
Can I still get my medicines in a dosette box / multicompartment compliance aid pack?
You or your relatives or carers should let your pharmacy know if you need to continue to receive your medicines in a compliance pack so that you can take them safely.
Pharmacies are under a lot of pressure due to potential staff shortages, increased pharmacy workload and numerous other factors which mean they may not be able to provide medicines in multicompartment compliance aid (MCA) packs (dosette boxes) to all patients who may usually have them.
There are risks that come with more handling of individual medicines when assembling compliance packs which need to be balanced with the risks of patients being unable to continue to take their medicines safely. Pharmacists will exercise their professional judgement and risk assess the need to continue to supply compliance packs to vulnerable patients.
Are pharmacies taking part in the Safe Space initiative?
We have encouraged all pharmacies to consider becoming a Safe Space, to help people experiencing domestic abuse access vital support they may need. Many of our pharmacies are already part of the Derbyshire Safe Place Scheme.
Pharmacies are already playing a vital role in supporting the healthcare needs of patients and the public during the COVID 19 pandemic. With the availability of private consultation rooms, pharmacies are one of the few community spaces that are open with the facilities to support people who may be experiencing domestic abuse and need help.
Pharmacies can become a Safe Space today by following the simple steps on uksaysnomore.org/safespaces and email uksaysnomore@hestia.org to notify them that you have become a Safe Space.
Pharmacies participating in the scheme will display a poster within the pharmacy. This poster encourages people needing help to go to the pharmacy counter and ask to use their consultation room.
What support will be provided?
People will be able to use the consultation room in the pharmacy to access dedicated support:
24-hour National domestic abuse helpline: 0808 2000 247
Men’s advice line: 0808 801 032
There is also a mobile app called Bright Sky, which provides support and information to anyone who may be in an abusive relationship or those concerned about someone they know.
Remember not to visit a pharmacy if you are experiencing symptoms of coronavirus (including fever and/or a cough) or live in the same household as someone who does. You should stay at home and self-isolate if you experience these symptoms.
We also urge you not to over-order prescriptions. To prevent shortages, order only what you need when you need it. Please not order your repeat prescription early or stockpile your drugs.
Also, please follow the guidance below:
If you no longer need a prescription or medication, tell the pharmacist before it is dispensed to save the NHS time and money.
Please be patient with pharmacists. They are working in incredibly difficult and stressful environments right now whilst still trying to deliver the best care possible. Medicines may take a little longer to be dispensed but wait patiently.
Some items may be out of stock, but our teams will do their best to help you.
You may have to queue to get into a pharmacy because they are limiting the number of people going in at one time. Make sure to observe social distancing (two-metre distance between you and another person) in the queue and inside the pharmacy. You may be asked to wait outside or even call back later if your prescription isn’t ready.
Only phone the pharmacy when you need to, to ensure lines are kept open for people who really need them?
We are in this together.
Stay safe, stay well and as Boris Johnson is reminding us; stay alert!