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NHS England has met with Community Pharmacy England to discuss a recent report that found abuse and violence towards pharmacy staff are increasing, health minister Stephen Kinnock has revealed. 

Mr Kinnock disclosed that the meeting had taken place this morning (April 28) in a written response to a parliamentary question from Conservative MP Luke Evans.

Mr Evans had asked whether the Department of Health and Social Care has reviewed its policies in the wake of the CPE report, and whether the DHSC plans to publish a response. 

The pharmacy minister dodged those questions in his response but said: “The Department and NHS England condemn any form of abuse directed at healthcare workers. 

“Pharmacy teams should be able to go to work without fear and have a fundamental right to be safe at work. 

“NHSE has met with CPE to discuss the findings of the survey and how we can further support community pharmacies and their staff.”

Published in late March, the CPE survey of pharmacy owners and staff members collectively representing over 3,000 premises found 55 per cent had faced verbal abuse in the preceding six months, of which 75 per cent said this occurs on a weekly basis.  

Physical abuse was less commonly reported but was still described as a “deeply concerning threat,” with six per cent of survey respondents reporting they or their staff had been the victims of a physical assault.

CPE said that staff who challenge shoplifters have been met with “having shelves and counters smashed, doors kicked in and items thrown at them” including chairs, medicine bottles and “sharp objects”.