Volunteers help with new prescription delivery service in Fife

The priority home delivery service has been launched to ensure that people who are unable to collect their prescriptions during the coronavirus crisis are still able to access their medicines.

The health board is working with community pharmacies and public and private sector organisations to deliver medicines to vulnerable, elderly and at risk people.

Volunteers will collect prescription medicines from community pharmacies and hospitals, and deliver them to people at their home.

NHS Fife Director of Pharmacy, Scott Garden, said: “We are working closely with all our partners to make sure those who need our support during this difficult time are able to access it.

“It is important to stress that this is not a service for general use. It has been set up exclusively for those who need it most, such as people who are self isolating and have no family member, carer or friends nearby who can collect their prescriptions for them.”

To access the delivery service, a phone line will operate between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday. You can also email the service at any time.

Fife Council’s depute provost Julie Ford said: “We owe a huge thanks to everyone who has volunteered and been on the ‘front line’ to help others at such a critical time.

“There have been many different initiatives set up right across Fife by individual communities and it shows that our community spirit is still alive.

“I am always conscious that sometimes when there are so many individual initiatives going on, people don’t know where to turn to for help.

“That is why this service that has been set up by NHS Fife, in partnership with local volunteers, is fantastic and I would urge everyone who needs the service to use it.

“I would also urge those who don’t need it, but know someone who does to let them know and help them register if possible.

“We absolutely can get through this by working together.”