Community Pharmacy Northern Ireland (CPNI) has urged the public to be patient and respectful with pharmacy staff, as winter pressures continue to impact the entire health service.
Due to a rise in seasonal illness, including flu and other respiratory conditions, community pharmacies are experiencing a significant rise in demand for medicines, clinical advice, treatment and vaccinations.
CPNI chief executive Gerard Greene said, “Community pharmacy teams are working incredibly hard to ensure patients can access the medicines, advice and care they need.
"More and more people are turning to their local pharmacy with respiratory illnesses and other winter health conditions, adding to the workload and strain on already busy teams."
CPNI wants patients to plan by checking their current medicine supplies and placing orders for repeat prescriptions in advance.
This would allow pharmacies ample time after the prescriptions are released by the GP surgeries to prepare and dispense medications.
While patients may experience longer waiting times than usual to speak with a pharmacist, CPNI has assured that pharmacy teams are working hard to meet the demands of patients.
“Pharmacists and their teams are committed to playing their part in supporting the health service this winter,” Greene added.
Community pharmacy teams are a core component of primary care and the winter vaccination programme, and local community pharmacies have administered winter flu vaccines to almost 50,000 people.
As part of this year’s winter vaccination programme, the community pharmacy teams have also visited 99 percent of local care homes to vaccinate residents and staff.
“All we ask is that patients are mindful of the pressures being faced and show patience, understanding and kindness to pharmacy staff,” Greene said.
CPNI has assured that community pharmacies will continue to support patients throughout the winter period.
