REMINDER: Temporary changes of hours and COVID-19 staff testing positive reporting
Written by admin on Friday 15th January 2021
The NHS England - South East Regional team must be informed
Actions required
- Changing opening hours:
If pharmacies are finding it necessary to reduce their hours due to COVID-19 related issues with staff, who are either sick, self-isolating etc., they must make an application for a temporary change of hours. Applications will be granted for a maximum two week period at each application.
- Reporting postive COVID-19 tests for staff members:
The South East Regional team must also be contacted by email if more than two members of staff contract COVID-19 as this is notifiable as an 'outbreak'.
Many pharmacies are failing to do this and are simply adjusting their staff arrangements where they can, so the true size of the impact on community pharmacy is not being appreciated.