The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has submitted written evidence to the new All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Coronavirus, raising concerns for the protection of pharmacists and their teams during the pandemic.
The submission, dated August 2020, also covers issues such as access to testing and risk assessments for pharmacy staff and reiterates RPS’ call for greater health and wellbeing support for staff, after a survey in December revealed that 80 per cent of pharmacists were already at risk of burnout.
Highlighting the role played by pharmacy teams during the pandemic, the document also calls for the need for investment in digital technologies and infrastructure as well as making provisions that would enable pharmacists to update a patient’s clinical record.
“We have been engaging with our members during Covid-19 and they have told us about some of the key changes they would like to see implemented following the crisis, said Claire Anderson, chair of the English Pharmacy Board.
“It’s time we all listen to pharmacists on the frontline, so we can learn from the wide-ranging experiences from the pandemic.
“With a potential second wave on top of winter pressures, pharmacists and their teams need to be reassured that they will have access to resources and support for their own wellbeing to ensure they can continue doing their jobs.”
The RPS submission followed a call from the All-Party Parliamentary Group for evidence to be submitted to inform its recommendations to the UK Government.
