Today marks the beginning of Ask Your Pharmacist week which will run until the 7th of November. AYP Week, held annually across the UK, aims to raise awareness of pharmacy services and prompt conversations with key stakeholders at a local level about community pharmacy’s role and benefits.

We wanted to take the opportunity to thank all of our locum pharmacists for supporting the local communities you serve. Locate a Locum operates in areas all over the United Kingdom and we know how dedicated you are to supporting customers, patients and wider teams. This week is a chance to promote the services that community pharmacies offer especially because some people are unaware of what is available for them.

In most cases, pharmacies are the first port of call for people who are sick and need advice. For a greater understanding of what services are available at the pharmacy click here.

The impact our locum pharmacists are making

We recently spoke to Roxana, a locum pharmacist, who uses Locate a Locum to find shifts. Roxana shared a story about a time that stood out for her during her locum career. This involves her ongoing support of customers whose first language is not English. Roxana is able to speak to customers in their own language and support the language barrier with the wider team.

To hear more about Roxana’s experience as a locum watch below:

(If video doesn't play, please click here)

National Pharmacy Association Head of Communications, Stephen Fishwick, said:

“AYP Week is an important fixture in the pharmacy calendar, as it creates a space for focused public awareness activities to help customers, patients and stakeholders understand more fully the community pharmacy offer.

We want people to be more aware of long-standing and new NHS services plus the skills and expertise on offer in pharmacies across the UK. AYP also aims to cultivate a richer dialogue with key stakeholders, which in England now includes leaders in Integrated Care Systems.”

Ask Your Pharmacist Week Competition & Locate a Locum

Over the duration of AYP week, we are running a competition for locum pharmacists to win a luxury treat hamper for their breakroom. All you have to do is share a selfie with you and your team on either Instagram or Twitter, tag Locate a Locum and use the hashtags #AskYouPharmacist and #FacesofPharmacy. Plus, you need to make sure you’re following Locate a Locum on Instagram and/or Twitter.

It’s as easy as that! We will enter everyone who shares a selfie (and does all the essential bits!) into a draw for the luxury hamper as a special thank you for all your hard work, not just this week, but all year round!