How community pharmacy is fighting the snow to deliver patient care
Pharmacy employees throughout the UK have risen to the challenge of the snow and freezing conditions from the “beast from the east”
Whether it’s strapping on walking boots and trudging along miles of icy roads to open a pharmacy, or battling the blizzards to reach elderly patients at home, the sector has reacted heroically to ensure their patients receive the best care possible.
Here’s a selection of some of pictures, videos and messages shared on Twitter by pharmacy staff – and their appreciative patients – while braving the severe weather conditions.
Delivering on foot
so this morning , myself and Nat went out ON FOOT delivering prescriptions to elderly patients that needed their meds!! it’s been a cold one but we’ve made it and we have some happy appreciative customers right now @Cohenschem pic.twitter.com/ZUmnAjN3Hz
— kirsti leigh (@kirstileigh1) March 1, 2018
Our Garelochhead pharmacist, Emily Moriarty, walked 5 miles this morning in the snow to make sure she was available to serve the community.
— Davidsons Chemists (@DavidsonsChem) March 1, 2018
Now that is dedication to medication! #lovemypharmacy #LoveYourPharmacy #BeatTheBeast pic.twitter.com/YkBvNqQAQ8
Just had my prescription delivered on foot @Cohenschem Stacksteads by these intrepid dedicated workers. #gobsmacked pic.twitter.com/mYvglz2VAs
— mike platt (@boneshakers1962) March 1, 2018
Our team in Hull are stocking up on bread and milk to take out with deliveries for any customers who can't leave the house. Please be sure to check in on any elderly neighbors #DayLewisPharmacy #snow #BigFreeze pic.twitter.com/T8TqHsJ986
— Day Lewis Pharmacy (@DayLewisGroup) March 1, 2018
Guildford Chemist, Surrey, going the extra mile to deliver medicines and continue vital services in the snowy weather #lovemypharmacy #BeastFromTheEast As Community Pharmacies across Surrey and Sussex brave the weather to keep their patients safe and well. pic.twitter.com/sjn9Ptp9ek
— CPSS_LPCs (@CPSS_LPCs) March 1, 2018
When the snow's real bad, and you need your medicines, who you gonna call? Your local pharmacy! #beastfromtheeast #lovemypharmacy pic.twitter.com/wSqGWISizm
— Ben Merriman (@blmerriman) March 1, 2018
Steering on slippery roads
Open as usual today, with 3 vehicles delivering urgent medication. #sheffieldissuper #snowmaggedon #herewhenyouneedus #thewickerlookspretty pic.twitter.com/aqhu6EzAAN
— Wicker Pharmacy (@wickerpharmacy) February 28, 2018
Ready to head off and make today's deliveries! Yardley Chemist is open and ready for action. We have reached full capacity for deliveries but will always help out if needed in an emergency #BeastFromTheEast #LoveMyPharmacy #Rayleigh pic.twitter.com/b71ibIrlqO
— Yardley Chemist (@YardleyChemist) March 1, 2018
Hi @JonAshworth remember when I checked your blood pressure? Today our pharmacy delivery drivers are out an about in the snow delivering to vulnerable patients. There is no #community without your local #pharmacy. #weph #pharmacysnow #lovemypharmacy pic.twitter.com/RnwJ7ABVf1
— Pharmacist Thorrun (@pharmthorrun) March 1, 2018
HUGE Well done to the team at Alchem Pharmacy at the Aspen Centre in Gloucester today for getting in to provide & deliver NHS services to patients in Gloucester #NHS #Pharmacy #BeastFromTheEast #StormEmma #lovemypharmacy @oxfordalchemist pic.twitter.com/XaoS2jGf5C
— Kristy Bradsell (@kristy_bradsell) March 2, 2018
Open as usual
Setting off very early this morning to walk the 5km through the snow to open the pharmacy in Axminster. #lovemypharmacy
— totalpharmacy (@totalpharmacy) March 2, 2018
Loving our commute to @BootsUK today. #lovemypharmacy #pewsey #snowdoesntstoptheNHS pic.twitter.com/LqK84n6Kxe
— Nicki Sinclair (@fieldofdaisies1) March 2, 2018
Congratulations to my team who despite the adversity, stayed open till the bitter end to see our patients get their meds. 4 MURs, 2 EHC and a handful of other services along the way. Oh I do love a #snowday #lovemypharmacy
— Andrew Mole (@AJMPharm) March 1, 2018
Bakewell Pharmacy team braving the snow storm, staying open and carrying out emergency deliveries for isolated customers when all others have closed #taking care of our community pic.twitter.com/1hwGhpeWrj
— GreenLife Pharma UK (@GreenLPharmaUK) March 1, 2018
Setting off to work now. 3 miles to go. @wellpharmacy @ChemistDruggist @AvonLPC #pharmacysnow #Pharmacy #pharmacySnow #patientsafety pic.twitter.com/JxazchCl4m
— Sadik (@Sadik4Pharmacy) March 2, 2018
Plymouth City Centre has never looked so empty @ 17:30! Managed to keep our pharmacy open normal hours today & had lots of thankful patients @BootsUK #pharmacySnow pic.twitter.com/FEdTr05h9n
— Connie Watson (@conniewatson92) March 1, 2018
NPA Chair Ian Strachan’s community pharmacy is open and delivering. Huge thank you to all pharmacies braving the weather and continuing vital services #LoveMyPharmacy #BeastFromTheEast pic.twitter.com/l92C7UKYdG
— NPA (@NPA1921) March 1, 2018
WE’RE OPEN! The roads aren’t great so be careful. Thanks to all my staff for making it in, shows the commitment to keeping things running. #pharmacy #SuffolkNHS #Suffolk #lovemypharmacy #loveyourpharmacy #Suffolkpharmacies pic.twitter.com/AiruGfuTIk
— Clare Pharmacy (@ClarePharmacy) February 28, 2018
NHS England: Thank you
A big thank you to pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and all pharmacy staff for looking after their patients so well in such adverse conditions.
— Bruce Warner (@BruceWarner) March 1, 2018
How have you braved the elements to look after patients?