Dear Member,

Here is a summary of current updates on the use of PPE & our requirements for using the NHS COVID-19 app. 

Pharmacy Staff & Use of PPE

• It is recommended ALL pharmacy staff now wear facemasks, unless the pharmacy is COVID-19 secure, including all staff being able to maintain a social distance from one another 
• Ensure the following measures are in place where practicable, premises is COVID-secure, use social distancing, optimal hand hygiene, frequent surface decontamination, ventilation and any other appropriate measures. 
• Ensure your risk assessments are complete and up to date, Including individual staff risk assessments. 
• It is recommended a Type I or Type II or Type IIR face mask is worn. 
• Click here for full government guidance 

Face coverings are compulsory for retail staff

• Pharmacy staff MUST wear a face covering in areas that are open to the public and where they come, or are likely to come, within close contact of a member of the public 
• Click here to see guidance from PSNC on use of face coverings 

Ordering PPE:

• Community Pharmacies are able to order PPE through the PPE portal
• The link for ordering would have been sent to your shared NHS mail account – Register on the website using your shared mail account email address
• You are able to order a certain amount of PPE per week
• Click here for full details on how much PPE you are able to order

NHS COVID-19 App & QR Code Posters

• The NHS COVID-19 has launched and the government is encouraging businesses and organisations to display the official NHS QR code posters at their venue entrances to support contact tracing 
• However, community pharmacies are NOT required to display the NHS QR posters but can do so according to Government advice:
  • ‘Customers generally move around the space rather than congregate, and are expected, by law, to wear face coverings. QR codes are therefore not required but can be used if a community pharmacy wishes to offer this option.’
• If community pharmacies provide flu vaccinations at other premises, for example, a community centre, an NHS QR code poster may need to be displayed and a log of those attending may need to be kept.
• Click here to create your personalised QR code poster 

As always, please contact the PharmaPlus team for any further advice or support you may require.

Regards,

PharmaPlus