Our pharmacy service

Julie writes:

Alongside the doctors and nurses and supermarket workers, there is a silent workforce braving the frontline and dealing with the current crisis but unfortunately being largely ignored by both the government and the media. 

As surgeries close their doors to the public, community pharmacy staff are open for business, with no barriers, no testing and no chance of closing to the public. We are not only dealing with an increased workload (put on by patients panic ordering medicines in advance and doctors sending all prescriptions online) but also increased demands for various products which are flying off the shelves, each time a new video/article is shared on social media. 

We are liaising with wholesalers to supply medicines and hygiene products whilst reassuring and consoling panic stricken Mums who just want some baby milk and paracetamol. 

We are watching people overcome with fear and paranoia strip the shelves of basic essentials such as soap and toilet rolls and trying our best to alleviate their fears by offering advice on how best to cope with the current situation. 

We are delivering more medicines to the old and vulnerable, and now to those who are in self isolation. We are dealing with patients who are arriving at the pharmacy counter with cough and cold symptoms and directing them back to NHS 111 because they aren’t following the guidelines, all the while being exposed and at risk. 

We are being stretched to the limit and we ask that you consider how the situation has impacted on the number of services we can offer to you and be patient if it’s taking longer than usual to get your prescription ready or to answer the phone. 

Please follow NHS guidelines and ring 111 if you feel ill and please respect safe distancing measures when you visit the pharmacy. 

Hopefully, one day the corona virus will become a long distant memory of testing times, but please remember the community pharmacy staff that will be the last ones standing.