Well announced yesterday (December 8) that it has partnered with domestic abuse support charity Hestia on its UK Says No More campaign, which aims to raise awareness of and put a stop to domestic abuse and sexual violence.

As part of the campaign, pharmacies around the country are offering their consultation rooms as “safe spaces” for those facing domestic abuse and Well has now committed to adding all its 750 UK branches to the list of participating pharmacies.

In a statement yesterday, Well highlighted the COVID-19 pandemic and its “terrible implications on the level of domestic abuse”. While “people are advised to stay home in order to save lives, the daunting reality for many victims of domestic abuse is that home is not safe”, the multiple said.

In the consultation rooms, patients will have access to “specialist domestic abuse services for support and advice”, including the ability to call a national domestic abuse helpline and an advice line for male victims of domestic violence.

The “safe spaces” consultation rooms will also feature signposting to Hestia’s free Bright Sky domestic abuse support app.

“A unique position within the community”

Well pharmacy superintendent Janice Perkins said she was “immensely proud of the work our teams do day in and day out supporting vulnerable people in their communities, providing person-centred care and keeping our patients safe and well”.

“That is why I know they will continue to do everything possible to safeguard and support people seeking a safe space,” she added.

Hestia head of domestic abuse prevention Lyndsey Dearlove said: “Businesses have a unique role to play in breaking the silence around domestic abuse and ensuring victims can access the help and support they need.

“We recognise that key workers in pharmacies hold a unique position within the community as a single point of contact for victims. By creating this safe space in Wells pharmacies, we hope many will be able to safely access support,” she added.

Well’s announcement that is has signed up to UK Says No More’s “safe spaces” scheme follows Boot’s news in the spring (May 1) that it was partnering with Hestia on the initiative.

Later that month (May 7), Superdrug also joined the initiative and in August the multiple told C+D that a “significant number” of people had sought support in its pharmacies since it signed up to the scheme.

“We believe this initiative has saved lives and are assured that victims have been able to seek specialist support and contact their loved ones after a long and difficult period of time,” a Superdrug spokesperson told C+D on August 28.

Morrisons pharmacies are also signed up to the initiative, which is supported by industry bodies the National Pharmacy Association; Royal Pharmaceutical Society; General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC); and Community Pharmacy Scotland.