Using equipment to support social distance during the Covid-19 pandemic

Pharmacy type

Community

Pharmacy context

​COVID-19

Relevant standards

• 1.1 - The risks associated with providing pharmacy services are identified and managed

Why this is notable practice

In response to the Covid-19 outbreak the pharmacy has seen a large increase in the number of people requiring access to pharmacy services. But given its location in a supermarket it is unable to control the number of people accessing the pharmacy at any given time. In response to this it is using temporary equipment to enforce social distancing at and around the healthcare counter.

How the pharmacy did this

The pharmacy team was under increased pressure due to the number of people requiring access to its services. Team members were also receiving verbal abuse due to the supermarket having limited stock of some products. And putting restrictions on the sale of other products. The pharmacy was using empty metal stock cages and hazard warning signs to create a safe and effective barrier between the healthcare counter and public area of the pharmacy. The cages had appropriate signage displayed providing information on social distancing. And details of the pharmacy’s temporary opening hours. The barrier between the healthcare counter and public area enforced social distancing rules between members of the public and the pharmacy team. It helped reduce activity and noise close to the healthcare counter. And this helped team members focus on their work. There was a small gap in the barrier to one side. This allowed the pharmacists and other team members to speak to people safely while maintaining a safe distance.

What difference this made to patients

The reduction in activity at the healthcare counter allowed the pharmacy team to focus on their work with limited interruptions. And by enforcing social distancing, pharmacy team members and members of the public are less likely to pass on the virus.