Reducing pressure on Community Pharmacies will allow them to prioritise “urgent and acute” prescriptions for people who may become sick over the weekend.
“Our community pharmacies provide vital services for the community but are under continuing pressure,” said Chief Pharmacist, Teena Bhogal. “The situation is often made worse when the normal working week is interrupted by public holidays.”
She said pharmacies and their staff also offer health advice and support, not just supply medication.
“We know that some pharmacy contractors choose to open on public holidays ensuring Islanders can access their services. But staffing will be reduced on these days and islanders can really help pharmacies to manage their workload by planning ahead,” she said.
Although the working hours of pharmacies may reduce over bank holiday weekends the volume of work often remains the same.
“Reduced freight services and the closing of pharmaceutical wholesalers in the UK create considerable logistical challenges for local pharmacies. Maintaining adequate stocks of medicines over holiday weekends can be difficult.”