With the recent troubles and civil unrest occurring in London and other major cities in the UK, Numark have provided its members with support and advice in responding to emergency situations. This guidance relates to emergency situations on the pharmacy premises such as burglary or attempted burglary, criminal damage, lack of power, fire and flooding.
In the event of criminal activity or a public disturbance occurring in your location it is essential that you assess the situation and make a judgement as to whether it is safe to remain open to the public. The personal safety of your staff, your customers and yourself is of paramount importance.
If you deem the situation to be an unsafe environment for the pharmacy to be open you should take the following actions:
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Ensure any customers present can leave the premises safely.
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Ensure any staff members who wish to do so can leave the premises safely.
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Close the pharmacy and put a sign in the window advising of the closure.
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If possible, signpost customers to a local pharmacy that is open. It may be worth contacting pharmacies in the area to determine whether they are remaining open.
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If necessary and available, close the security shutters to protect the premises from vandalism. Ensure that the customer notice is displayed outside.
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You must contact your PCT’s commissioning department to advise them of the closure and the reasons for it. Check that you have the contact number to hand.
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Advise your local surgeries of the closure and the reasons for it.
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If you supply or supervise methadone, contact the local drug action team to inform them of the closure so they can advise their clients.
The above guidance is covered in full in the SOP for an “Emergency Situation in the Pharmacy” which Numark members can download via its member website, www.numarknet.com
In addition, Numark members can also download the example Template for Service Continuity Plans, produced by the PSNC to help contractors plan for disruptions to service. It gives guidance on how to maintain services at acceptable standards or decide on which services must be continued or which can be reduced or suspended.
