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RPS asks Police for greater protection for pharmacy staff

Pharmacy teams must be safe

RPS has written to the National Police Chiefs Council to help make sure that all pharmacy teams across the NHS are kept safe and protect against any forms of aggressive, violent and abusive behaviour.

Many pharmacy teams have reported an increase in abuse, violence and aggression from some members of the public. This cannot be tolerated.

Pharmacy teams are central to the UK response to COVID-19, ensuring people get their medicines and keep them free from ill health. It is crucial that staff feel safe and supported to keep going to work amid a surge in demand across the health service.

We have asked the Council to ensure a zero-tolerance approach to aggressive behaviour from members of the public, and for greater support and reassurance from the Police to help protect pharmacy staff across the UK.

RPS Director of Pharmacy and Member Experience, Robbie Turner, said ‘‘Pharmacy teams have been working incredible hard on the frontline to support the public and the NHS during these challenging times.

“It is disappointing to see that some members of the public are behaving poorly towards pharmacy teams. This is not acceptable and will not be tolerated. We have written to all patient groups, associations, organisations and charities around how they should support pharmacy teams. We must ensure all NHS frontline workers are kept safe during these difficult times.”

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