We have produced a risk assessment tool designed to enable a systematic approach to both assessing and managing the risks of COVID-19 in the community pharmacy as well as building resilience to prevent closures.
The PDA has launched a COVID-19 risk management tool designed to help responsible pharmacists and employers identify and remove risks in community pharmacy as lockdown restrictions are lessened.
Mark Koziol, PDA Chairman said: “As the government has started to liberalise the lockdown, it is likely that the pharmacies will see even more activity. As healthcare professionals, we know how important it is to maintain infection control measures.”
“However, after the privations that the public have endured in this last three months, many may well now be tired and a little less inclined to observe some of the requirements, especially after high profile examples of poor leadership in this regard. A second wave of infections is anticipated and for pharmacists, especially those in a community pharmacy setting, this must be a time for extra caution as the risk of infection will likely increase,” Mark continued.
Pharmacists to prepare for supporting the test, track and tracing systems now rolling out across the UK. Following guidance from the GPhC on 8 June, the PDA aim to help pharmacists play their role in reducing the risks of COVID-19 in the pharmacy, and consider mitigating actions to reduce the risk of closure if the whole pharmacy team have to self-isolate.
The PDA want to help protect pharmacists, their teams and the members of the public that enter the pharmacy from the virus and support the pharmacy from the risk of enforced closure.
The PDA believe that those best placed to identify and then propose remedies to the specific risks for the pharmacy to the employers will be those on the frontline; the responsible pharmacists who are responsible for the safe and effective running of the pharmacy. It is then for those who have responsibilities placed upon them through health and safety legislation – the employers who control the financial resources – to agree on any safety measures that may be necessary.
Download the risk assessment tool here
