Bishopmill Pharmacy thanks customers for generosity during "intense" period
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ELGIN'S only independent pharmacy has thanked its customers for their generosity during what has been a hectic period.
Bishopmill Pharmacy owner Alastair Smith says the shop has been "inundated" with sweets, cakes and home bakes since the coronavirus lockdown begun.
The donations have made a busy few weeks more bearable for Mr Smith and his 13 members of staff, with things now starting to settle down.
He said: "First of all, I would like to thank all of my staff for their excellent work over this incredibly difficult period and extend a great hand of thanks to all customers who have donated and wished us well.
"We are always getting gifts but the quantity has been incredible. We have had gifts from business – Costa gave us some of their material and we have had supplies from distilleries – and we have been inundated with home bakes.
"It has been a great pleasure and a delightful surprise to receive such a vote of thanks."
Mr Smith also gave a special word of thanks to his volunteer delivery drivers, who are taking medication to those housebound, self-isolating or more than 70 years old.
The pharmacy usually has one delivery drivers, and now has four on their rota.
It's not just Bishopmill Pharmacy that's been forced into overdrive during the covid-19 crisis.
Adam Osprey from Community Pharmacies Scotland, which represents pharmacies including Mr Smith's across Scotland, said: "It is fair to say the initial few weeks were intense, with record numbers of prescriptions dispensed, phone ringing off the hook and huge queues of people looking for advice and support.
"Pharmacy teams went above and beyond to serve their communities, and continue to do so. Though the general sense is that the volume of work has reduced back towards normal, it is certainly not business as usual.
"Teams are supporting people in new ways, and people will notice that their pharmacies may be operating differently to help maintain social distancing and protect the health and safety of patients and team members.
"Like any key worker group pharmacy teams are also now planning how to deal with potential staff shortages if the virus should spread further."
Bishopmill Pharmacy remains open six days a week. Here's what you can do to help your local pharmacy...
- Check your medicine cupboard before ordering any prescriptions.
- Only order what you need, seven days before you need it.
- Only visit the pharmacy if you need to, and do not enter if you have symptoms of coronavirus.
- Don’t stockpile medicines – there is no need.
- Respect any new social distancing measures.
