Volunteers and firefighters are working with Enfield Council to deliver prescriptions on behalf of those who are self-isolating, as part of the Enfield Stands Together community outreach programme.
Enfield Stands Together has already received around 2,000 phone calls from residents who say they need help with collecting prescriptions - and the numbers continue to grow.
The collection service, which is organised with the help of Enfield Voluntary Action, is liaising with the Middlesex Group of Local Pharmaceutical Committees which provides support, guidance and advice to 575 pharmacies in nine boroughs including Enfield.
Enfield Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health, Cllr Mahtab Uddin, said: “As the Enfield Stands Together programme expands, we have identified urgent requirements in the local area that need our help and one of them is the collection and delivery of prescriptions. As a result, we have liaised with Enfield pharmacies and GPs to support our residents in a structured approach that also values the privacy of patients.”
The process is simple – those who have requested help need to call their GP or pharmacy to request that their prescription goes to the Enfield Council Collection Service. Volunteers will then visit the 57 participating Enfield pharmacies twice a day, following all safety and social distancing advice, and will ensure the prescriptions are delivered as promptly as possible.
As an extra measure, Enfield Council has partnered with Cycle Confident to deliver prescriptions by cycle couriers. There are 14 couriers working five days a week for the next six weeks to ensure prescriptions get to those most vulnerable in Enfield.
Full details on how the service works can be found at www.enfield.gov.uk/est.
Chair of Barnet Enfield and Haringey Local Pharmaceutical Committee, Gerald Alexander, said:
"I have heard some wonderful reports from pharmacist colleagues across Enfield who are delighted with the way the Enfield Volunteers have stepped up to help deliver medicines to the homes of vulnerable patients and those self isolating. We are grateful to Council Officers for running the complex operation across the borough. Everyone is doing sterling work, and patients can be less worried about running short of their medicines."
In addition the London Fire Brigade in Enfield is also doing its bit to make sure the most vulnerable and isolated in the borough receive the support they need. Fire stations in Edmonton, Southgate and Carterhatch Lane have been assigned a pharmacy to liaise with. They too will be making prescription deliveries on behalf of residents, in between their other duties.
London Fire Brigade Borough Commander for Enfield, Steve West, said: “Enfield firefighters are stepping up and making sure vital medicine is getting to the most vulnerable in the borough. As well as delivering the prescriptions we can also give fire safety advice while social distancing.
“London is together in helping to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and as well as maintaining a full emergency service, we’re prepared to assist other partners to help those in need.”
To support Enfield Stands Together, please take a look at the crowdfunding page, which explains more about the campaign. Residents can also sign up to Enfield Council’s newsletters, to be kept up to date with the latest news on Covid-19 and local services. Go to www.enfield.gov.uk/enewsletters .