PHARMACISTS across Scotland have reported an increase in abusive and aggressive behaviour during the coronavirus pandemic.
As pressure increases to deal with the virus, pharmacists are dealing with "unacceptable behaviour" towards members of staff, according to the Royal Pharmaceutical Society Scotland (RPS Scotland).
Chairman Jonathan Burton said: "I have been shocked to hear of pharmacy teams being verbally abused. I have also heard of fights starting outside pharmacy premises. This is totally unacceptable behaviour."
Pharmacies have become a critical medical resource within communities to help deal with the public health emergency.
READ MORE: Two die from coronavirus in ‘difficult 24 hours’ for Scottish Government
Burton, who also works as a pharmacist in Stirling, added: "Community pharmacists and their teams are doing everything they possibly can to help in very difficult circumstances.
"They are under significant pressure and they need the help of the public so they can continue to provide vital healthcare support.
"I ask that that anyone who needs to visit a pharmacy remains patient and is respectful to all pharmacy staff."
RPS Scotland has taken its concerns to Police Scotland to make sure all pharmacy teams are kept safe.
Some pharmacies have also changed the way they are working to protect workers, which includes reduced opening hours and social distancing measures.
READ MORE: FM says 'it may have been easier' to sack Catherine Calderwood earlier
RPS Scotland asked patients and the public to adhere to the following advice:
- Do not visit a pharmacy if you or anyone in your household has a temperature or a new and continuous cough, even if it is mild.
- Plan ahead and try to order your next prescription seven days before it is due.
- If you are handing in your prescription, please add relevant contact details so that the community pharmacies can let you know when your medicines are ready.
- If you are self-isolating please ask family, friends or neighbours to pick up your medication for you. If this isn't possible, ask your community pharmacy for advice about how they can help.
- If you are collecting medicines for someone take ID with you. Ensure you protect yourself and the patient by delivering the medicines safely and keeping a safe distance from each other.
Police Scotland Deputy Chief Constable Malcolm Graham said: "We continue to support and protect the vulnerable, responding to incidents 24 hours a day. Our officers are in local communities, on routine patrols, engaging with people to urge them to follow the instructions from government.
"We don't need people to defy what is clear and very, very sensible advice. These are unprecedented times and we will respond accordingly.
"Those breaking the law will be dealt with appropriately to ensure the public is kept safe from risk and harm."
Scotland is in lockdown. Shops are closing and newspaper sales are falling fast. It’s no exaggeration to say that the future of The National is at stake. Please consider supporting us through this with a digital subscription from just £2 for 2 months by following this link: http://www.thenational.scot/subscribe. Thanks – and stay safe.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel