NHS safeguarding webinar for pharmacy teams

The NHS England and NHS improvement (NHSE&I) Community Pharmacy and Safeguarding Teams will be hosting a webinar on Level 3 Safeguarding on Thursday (June 30) from 7-8pm.

“The one-hour webinar will be tailored specifically for staff working in community pharmacies and all members of the pharmacy team are invited to join the webinar (you do not need to have achieved Level 1 or 2 safeguarding to attend the webinar),” said the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC).

Kenny Gibson MBE, National Head of Safeguarding at NHSE&I will be lead the webinar and talk about what Level 3 safeguarding involves including spotting the signs of abuse, signposting and making referrals. Kenny will also be joined by a panel of pharmacists who will reflect on real life safeguarding examples.

Commenting on the announcement of the webinar, Alastair Buxton, Director of NHS Services at PSNC, said: “Pharmacy teams are extremely well placed to identify people who may be vulnerable, including young adults and children. It is important that all pharmacy team members are aware of, and understand, potential signs of abuse, neglect or exploitation and how to respond in this situation.

“We have also seen over the last 18 months, how the sector has supported victims of domestic abuse by their successful involvement in the Ask for ANI scheme and Safe Spaces scheme, offering victims of domestic abuse a safe way to access support from the police or other domestic abuse support services.

“We would therefore encourage all community pharmacy team members to consider attending the webinar to build on their existing safeguarding knowledge and ensure they feel confident on how to deal with such matters as and when they arise.”