The PDA are campaigning to stop attacks on pharmacy teams, however, PDA advise pharmacists that, should they be subject to an assault at work, they should remind the police that the assailant can be charged under that Emergency Workers Act, which may result in an increased penalty.
The Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act 2018 applies to England and Wales. It was debated in committee following lobbying from the PDA and other organisations representing healthcare staff. The bill was amended to expand the definition of emergency workers.
The Act defines an emergency worker as:
‘a person employed for the purposes of providing, or engaged to
provide—
(i) NHS health services, or
(ii) services in the support of the provision of NHS health services,
and whose general activities in doing so involve face to face interaction with individuals receiving the services or with other members of the public.’
Violence in Pharmacy campaign
The PDA’s lobbying was part of a long-running campaign to end violence in pharmacies. Click the link below for more information about this campaign.
Related links
- Violence in Pharmacy campaign
- Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act 2018 guidance document
- Press Release: Bill to protect NHS workers from assault recognises plight of pharmacists