NPA Game Plan - National pharmacy association

24
First Aid for Pharmacists
What telephone number is dialled for an ambulance; has the 999 number been
replaced?
The numbers 999 or 112 can be used to call for an ambulance.
Who can be contacted for first aid advice on poisons/overdoses?
NHS healthcare professionals can contact the UK National Poisons Information Service on
0844 892 0111. The National Poisons Information Service does not accept enquiries from
the general public, who can seek help from NHS Direct on 0845 4647 or, in Scotland,
NHS 24 on 0845 242424.
Are pharmacy staff insured when providing first aid to members of the public?
NPA Insurance Professional Indemnity policy holders are covered for providing first aid to
members of the public. Other policy holders should check with their insurance provider.
Should records be kept of any first aid provided to members of the public?
The NPA recommends that pharmacies should keep a record of any first aid given to
members of the public. No specifically designed books are available but a blank note book
(available from NPA Sales) with the following headings can be used:
• Full name and address of person(s) who suffered the illness or injury
• Date, time and place of accident
• Details of the injury or illness, and what first aid treatment was given if any
• What happened to the person immediately following the incident (for example, did they
go home, to hospital, or return back to work)
• The nature of any advice given by the pharmacy staff
• The name and signature of the person who dealt with the incident
NB: This book is different to the statutory accident book which pharmacies need to retain
for accidents and first aid incidents relating to employees.
What should be included in a pharmacy first aid box?
There is no mandatory list of items that should be included in a first aid kit. Under the Health
and Safety at Work Act, it is left to employers to decide what is needed in a workplace first
aid box from information gathered during the health and safety first aid risk assessment.
First aid provision for members of the public should be accounted for as part of this process.
Guidance, including a list of minimum stock items for a low hazard environment, can be
found on the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) website:
www.hse.gov.uk/firstaid/faqs.htm#first-aid-box.
NPA Sales are able to supply a range of first aid kits.
First aid boxes should be checked regularly to ensure that all items are within their expiry
date. Any used items should be replaced as soon as possible after use.
Are there any other items that should be made available alongside the first aid
box?
Other items that stores may wish to consider keeping with the first aid box are:
• Scissors
• Adhesive tape
• At least one litre of sterile water or normal saline (0.9%) in sealed, disposable containers
for eye irrigation if mains or tap water is not readily available