Horsham pharmacy heroes work flat out to meet demand amid Covid-19 outbreak

Many are working late at night and at weekends to cope with people’s expanding needs.

Shailesh Amin, pharmacist owner of Nories Pharmacy in Oakhill Road, Horsham, paid tribute to his staff who have seen a doubling in the volume of prescriptions.

He said his staff had “gone beyond the call of duty to meet the current challenges we face.”

He added: “I would also like to thank our local heroes who have volunteered to provide home deliveries for self isolating, vulnerable patients.”

He said the pharmacy had been put in a difficult position after the closure of a nearby Boots ”which greatly increased the volume of prescriptions sent to us and I hope the local public have not suffered too much disruption.

“Fingers crossed we will all come out of this stronger, better and even more of a community then ever before.

“We have had our patients baking cakes and bringing in chocolates to thank us and it all helps to cheer us up.”

Meanwhile, staff at Day Lewis Denne Pharmacy in North Heath Lane are also currently hard-pressed.

A spokesman said: “We are currently under a lot of stress as local Boots pharmacy in Holbrook have closed so our workload has increased 40 per cent.

“We are staying behind in the evenings and coming in on weekends, just to try and catch up on the amount of prescriptions needing to be completed.”

A spokesman for Boots said that staff in its Swan Walk pharmacy were also working extra hours. He said: “All pharmacies are facing unprecedented challenges at the moment and our teams are working tirelessly to be there for their community.

“Our pharmacists are focusing all efforts on taking pressure off hospitals and the NHS as it comes under increasing strain. They are doing everything they can to ensure patients have access to medicine, essential products and healthcare advice, whilst adapting to the new Government guidelines.

“Our store colleagues in Horsham are working extra hours due to the higher demand of prescriptions, whilst remaining positive and resourceful during this busy period.

“The team are also helping patients that are in isolation and vulnerable by delivering their prescriptions to their homes and picking up some food shopping if they’ve asked. They are focussed, dedicated and treating customers with care and kindness.”

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