Pharmacy and healthcare leaders from across Scotland have rallied behind a campaign, which is reminding the public to be kind to their pharmacy teams this winter.
As pressures on pharmacy services increase, we have heard from our members that abuse towards pharmacy teams, particularly those in community pharmacy, has unfortunately risen. This campaign, which has been running throughout December, promotes ‘be kind’ messaging to the public at a time when pharmacy services are particularly stretched by winter pressures and other factors, including the recent shortages of antibiotics. The campaign is led by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) which is pharmacists’ professional leadership body.
Throughout December, leading figures have provided a series of powerful videos, which all encourage the public to be kind to their pharmacy teams. The campaign has highlighted personal video messages from many figures including Jason Leitch, Scotland’s National Clinical Director, Maree Todd, Minister for Public Health, Women’s Health and Sport, and Andrew Carruthers, RPS Scottish Pharmacy Board Chair.
The campaign has been building up to today (Wednesday 21 December), which is RPS’s ‘be kind’ day. Throughout today, RPS will be highlighting all the wonderfully positive video messages that have been received from healthcare leaders, throughout the campaign.
Commenting on RPS’s ‘be kind’ campaign, Clare Morrison, Director for Scotland at RPS said:
“It has been a privilege to witness healthcare leaders from across Scotland and the rest of Great Britain coming together to support this hugely important campaign.
Winter is always a busy time for pharmacy. There have been significant additional challenges this winter, especially with the current antibiotic supply issues which has been difficult and worrying for patients, their families and pharmacy teams.
“I know that the video messages that we have been delivering throughout December have resonated with both pharmacy teams and the public, and hope that this has reminded the public to give the gift of kindness to pharmacy teams during a particularly challenging time.”