The Royal Pharmaceutical Society has joined over 20 other professional bodies and health organisations in demanding that the government and NHS increase Covid-19 protections for healthcare workers including community pharmacy teams.
In a meeting with government, NHS and public health officials on Thursday (June 3), the alliance of these organisations called for the UK infection prevention control guidance to be updated as well as making necessary arrangement for the supply of enhanced PPE for frontline healthcare workers.
“Whilst welcoming the government’s offer of further discussions, the alliance was disappointed that the UK guidance would not be updated at this time, despite emerging evidence and changes to guidance in the US and Europe,” the RPS said, sharing its concern over the safety of community pharmacy teams.
RPS president Sandra Gidley commented: “Supporting pharmacy teams and calling for appropriate PPE has been a key focus for the RPS during the pandemic.
“With frontline health and care staff under continued strain, we owe it to everybody to make sure they get the protection they deserve.
“As our understanding of Covid-19 evolves it’s vital that national guidance and support keep pace.”
The alliance believes that changes to the guidance are essential and should not be delayed. New Covid-19 variants and recent rises in positive cases make the case urgent for healthcare workers to be fully protected and provided with FFP3 masks when seeing patients, the RPS stressed.
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