Here at Pharmacist Support, we receive calls from victims of crime that happen both in and out of the workplace. One of the resources that we would direct people to is Victim Support – an independent charity dedicated to supporting victims of crime and traumatic incidents.  

Depending on the nature of the crime, there may be other organisations we can signpost to with specialist knowledge, including support around rape and stalking, for example.

 

Workplace safety

 

We recognise that there may be occasions when pharmacists are alone in the pharmacy, in particular late at night, and this can make them vulnerable.

The Pharmacists’ Defence Association highlights the many dangers faced by pharmacy staff in its Safer Pharmacies Charter and it has also developed a Personal Safety Resource Pack.

The Health and Safety Executive offers guidance on protecting health and safety at work.

Should pharmacists feel unsafe at work, Pharmacist Support can also refer individuals to our specialist employment adviser, who can provide guidance on the responsibilities of employers in terms of keeping staff safe.

 

Pharmacist Support services and resources

 

Naturally, Pharmacist Support has a number of services and resources that can also assist, including:

• our counselling service may be useful to those who have been traumatized either through witnessing a crime, or as the victim of a crime

• our Listening Friends peer-support service offers an opportunity to talk in confidence and anonymously to one of our trained volunteer pharmacists about the stresses or pressures of pharmacy.

We also have a number of resources to assist those who may be feeling anxious following a crime. These include:

• short videos on how to manage anxious thoughts, and how to reduce stress through the way you breathe
• information on anxiety – what it is and how to ease the symptoms
• a series of wellbeing workshops that cover stress management and building resilience, as well as an introduction to assertiveness on the charity’s new Wellbeing Learning platform.

 

Pharmacist Support is the profession’s independent charity, providing a range of free and confidential support services to pharmacists and their families, former pharmacists, trainees and MPharm students in Great Britain. For further information visit pharmacistsupport.org, email [email protected] or call 0808 168 2233.

 

C+D has been reporting on the results of its investigation into crimes in pharmacies, which revealed the extent and severity of crimes that pharmacists and pharmacy staff witnessed across the UK – apart from Scotland – between 2019 and 2021.

Find all the stories we have published so far on our dedicated crimes in pharmacies page.