Pharmacy staff praised for Covid protection measures

The manager of a Long Stratton pharmacy has thanked residents after they praised the branch on how well organised it has been during the pandemic.

Becky Whitesides, 31, who has been in charge of the Well Pharmacy in The Angel Site since November, said the community support has been fantastic.

She said: “At the very beginning of coronavirus, we asked the community if they had face masks to get us started while supplies were getting to us.

“Their response was incredible; we had lots of donations from people and businesses, who gave us their supply of masks. It was brilliant and we have just gone from there.”

Customers on social media thanked the pharmacy and staff, not just for still being open, but also for the measures they have put in place to combat the virus.

This includes only having three customers in the shop at one time, all of the staff wearing face masks and visors, a screen protector for those serving people and distance lines and signage on the floor.

Miss Whitesides said: “We could see it was going to be pretty serious from the very start, so we took the actions that were needed to carry on our jobs and help people that needed us.

“The company has also been amazing with face masks and visors, as well the screen protector for counter staff, ensuring us and our customers stay safe.”

Miss Whitesides did say the pharmacy had seen a real rise of people coming in at the start of the lockdown. Even though numbers have now reduced, they still close between 12.30pm and 2pm, so staff can keep on top of demand.

Miss Whitesides said: “We have seen a big increase in our deliveries, as quite a few of the people in this community have had to shield themselves in self-isolation.

“More people have needed this sort of service from us at the minute and we have done really well to keep on top of those orders.”

With all the changes made, Miss Whitesides said that people coming in and those online had been fantastic and really supportive of what the staff have been trying to do in the circumstances.

She said: “The feedback has been so nice to hear and makes us feel that we are really helping people when we come into work.

“Some have asked why we are risking our health to do this, but we are doing it for the community, who need this vital service.”