NAWP is delighted to hear the news that LloydsPharmacy is taking part in the ANI initiative. Pharmacy teams already provide an invaluable service to patients and pharmacies are seen as safe professional environments within communities. It was revealed that 89% of the population in England has access to a community pharmacy within a 20-minute walk.
Any LloydsPharmacy customer or patient can come into the store and ask staff for ANI. They will then be given a private space to talk where staff can try to understand if they need to speak to the police or would like help to access support services such as a national or local domestic abuse helpline.
NAWP understands that LloydsPharmacy has a strong safeguarding policy and procedures in place, which means that they are in an ideal position to recognise and support victims of domestic abuse. All staff at LloydsPharmacy have been briefed on ‘Ask for ANI’ and have also attended training as part of their Safer Care work. All participating pharmacies will display a window sticker within the next couple of weeks.
Naina Chotai, President of NAWP, said: “Back in January, NAWP urged pharmacy employers to sign up to the scheme and to ensure that their staff are fully briefed and trained. It is fantastic news that LloydsPharmacy has taken positive steps and supported the scheme. This news comes just a month after LloydsPharmacy and the PDA Union reached a recognition agreement for pharmacists, so this bodes well for our working relationship in the future.”
Related links
- 25% increase in calls to National Domestic Abuse Helpline since lockdown measures began
- Pharmacies launch codeword scheme to offer ‘lifeline’ to domestic abuse victims
- Domestic abuse codeword poster
- Ask for ANI confirmation of participation
- Domestic abuse: get help during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
- Pharmacies encouraged to become Safe Spaces for victims of domestic abuse
- Learn more about NAWP and join today