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Tue, 09 Aug 2011 15:47:00 -0700 Royal Pharmaceutical Society | Precautions for community pharmacies during times of social unrest http://pharmacy.posterous.com/royal-pharmaceutical-society-precautions-for http://pharmacy.posterous.com/royal-pharmaceutical-society-precautions-for

Since 2006, it has been recommended that all community pharmacies should have a business continuity plan in place. Current problems in London may require these to be put to the test.

Attacks on premises and individuals are possible. The Royal Pharmaceutical Society advises pharmacists to take all appropriate precautions/actions to ensure the safety of staff and to reduce the impact of the riots on patients. Pharmacists have a duty of care to colleagues and staff, and would wish to ensure that any such attack produces as little effect on future delivery of services as possible.

 

 

Please follow the guiding points below:

Protect colleagues and staff
Pharmacists’ first priority must be the safety of their staff and their patients, so pharmacies must close where patients or staff are at risk.

It is appropriate for pharmacy contractors in areas that may be vulnerable to riot, to take advice from the police to protect their staff, patients and their premises, and follow any advice given. (see Appendix A for advice from the Metropolitan Police).

Make sure you discuss and record arrangements for access and exiting the premises, and have a clear means of communicating with colleagues and staff. Establish a named lead contact with a nominated mobile number and email address (possibly the clinical governance lead). Agree with staff and colleagues to share contact numbers, and have a simple codeword that identifies if they are in trouble, and report such cases to the police using 101, or 999 if in immediate danger.

Note that colleagues and staff living locally may be or feel subject to intimidation, and may not be able to attend the premises.

Inform patients
Using reasonable commonsense means make patients aware that normal services may be disrupted.

Secure records
Ensure that physical records such as dispensed prescriptions and prescriptions awaiting supply under the repeat dispensing scheme, are out of sight and in locked storage.

Ensure that computer backup tapes are in a fireproof safe; consider a second backup to be kept temporarily off the premises, but be aware of data protection requirements. The tapes may need to be encrypted, or stored on alternative licensed premises (PCT or neighbouring pharmacy).

Secure medicines
Ensure any controlled drugs are kept locked in the controlled drugs (CD) cabinet. Consider storing other medicines liable to misuse in the CD cabinet.

Cash and valuables, and secure equipment
Where possible, do not store excess cash on the premises and bank cash more regularly. Additional precautions should be taken when transporting cash to and from banks.

Avoid keeping any valuables on the premises, or keep them out of sight

PCT Cluster
Notify the PCT Cluster of any problems which affect delivery of services via the pharmacy’s normal methods. The PCT cluster may be notified via the Head Office of a pharmacy which is part of a multiple.

Support each other
Please share any other examples of good practice with us by emailing Heidi Wright

Further information

Service continuity planning

Service continuity planning template

PSNC advice and this includes advice from the Metropolitan Police (also attached as Appendix A)

NPA Insurance advice

Appendix A

The London Metropolitan police have also advised the following precautionary measures:

  1. Where possible retail premises should be suitably staffed with security guards
  2. Ensure staff report any suspicious activity to security and/or police
  3. Consider regular checks of the building and surrounding area
  4. Identify areas that are vulnerable to forced entry
  5. Make sure all service doors are kept locked and secure when not in use
  6. Ensure your CCTV system fully operational
  7. In case of an emergency is there a record of the names of keyholders who can be contacted
  8. Consider removing high value goods from display windows overnight
  9. Consider keeping as little cash as possible on the premises
  10. Ensure that your premises are secure and if fitted your alarm systems are fully operational
  11. In the event of a non emergency, call the police on non emergency number 101
  12. In the event of an emergency, call the emergency number 999
  13. If you have any information you wish to provide to police anonymously you can contact the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.

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