AT the beginning of lockdown in March, many people over the age of 70 were advised to stay at home – especially if they had underlying health issues and were shielding. As a result, a problem for many was how to get their prescriptions collected and distributed.
The Melksham Community Response Team stepped in to help. Patsy Clover describes how this is organised saying, “Prescriptions are collected from all the pharmacies in Melksham on a daily basis; Boots, Gompels – Bank Street, Gompels – Spa Medical Centre, Lloyds – Asda, Lloyds – Giffords Surgery and Sainsburys. In addition, prescriptions have been collected from Devizes, Box, Trowbridge and Market Lavington.
“Once collected, they are grouped according to location and delivered to the elderly and vulnerable and those self-isolating and shielding in our community.
“Volunteers cannot collect prescriptions from the pharmacies without a photo ID badge. Only ‘trusted’ volunteers or those with a valid DBS check can collect and deliver controlled drugs.
“Prescription deliveries have rapidly become one of the main tasks to be undertaken by the Melksham Community Response team. Since lockdown began on 23rd March, almost 900 prescriptions have been delivered to members of our community. This means that the number of people who have had to visit their pharmacy has been dramatically reduced.
“One thing is certain: the need for this service will continue.”
