Pharmacies & Covid: the reality
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Healthwatch Kent and Healthwatch Medway have collected information about people's experiences relating to community pharmacies from 101 local pharmacies during the covid-19 pandemic.
The report found that the majority do not feel prepared for a second wave. Community pharmacies did not receive information, support and equipment they needed to respond to the first wave. Community pharmacies said that their staffing levels had been affected in the first wave, the majority reporting that the impact had been significant. community pharmacies reported that morale is low and what staff need most at the moment is recognition from fellow NHS professionals and for the public to be made more aware of the work they do. Community pharmacies were able to identify parts of the community that they felt were in need of greater support.
Healthwatch Kent and Healthwatch Medway recommended that they facilitate a multi stakeholder discussion of the report.