The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 269 No 7208 p123
27 July 2002

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Hampshire pharmacists sent advice on minimising risks when working alone

Community pharmacists in Hampshire are being sent advice on issues they should consider if they are working alone in a pharmacy or when making domiciliary visits.

The advice has been developed by Southampton pharmacy development group. Jeff Holloway, secretary to the group, told The Journal that the issue had been raised as part of a community pharmacy on-call scheme that has been running in Southampton since November last year.

"It is all common sense stuff, really — what are you doing, and have you told anybody where you will be and until when?" Mr Holloway said. He added that pharmacy staff who made regular visits, such as to deposit cash at a bank, should also be covered by the advice.

The advice is targeted at pharmacists because they may be called upon to work alone when delivering medicines or oxygen. They may also have to work alone in a pharmacy when carrying out urgent out-of-hours dispensing or when counselling patients in a private room. Issues to be considered include knowledge of individual patients or areas being visited and who should be told about where pharmacists are going and when.

Copies of the advice are being sent to pharmacists in 10 primary care trust areas in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

Employers have a duty under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 to identify, assess and control risks to employees. Guidance is available from the Health and Safety Executive (PDF 65K).

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