Met Éireann has issued a red weather warning for the entire country commencing early Friday morning. We understand these situations can be stressful and disruptive but taking the right precautions can help you manage the impact effectively. In order to balance the needs of your patients and staff and to help minimise any potential disruption, below are some key considerations that you may wish to reflect on.
1. Review the Warning Details
· Stay informed by regularly checking updates from Met Éireann and the local authorities.
· Understand the implications of the red weather warning, including its timing, severity, and specific hazards (e.g., flooding, strong winds etc).
2. Assess the Risks
· Evaluate potential risks to employees, patients, and the pharmacy premises.
· Consider the safety of travelling to and from work, especially for staff relying on public transportation or driving longer distances.
· Identify any specific vulnerabilities in your premises (e.g., low-lying areas prone to flooding).
3. Temporary Closure Considerations
While pharmacies are considered essential services, the safety of your team and patients is paramount. If the risks are significant, you may need to consider a temporary closure. This is especially important if your premises are in an area directly affected by the warning or if footfall is likely to be minimal.
Where a decision is made to close and/or reduce service levels to emergency levels then forward planning can reduce potential impacts to patients.
You may wish to consider:
· Contacting vulnerable patients to determine if they have any medication related needs that can be managed in advance.
· Reviewing arrangements for supervised consumption services and phased medication collection and contacting both prescribers and patients, where necessary, to make amendments to such arrangements.
· Rescheduling appointments for scheduled services e.g. vaccination services.
4. Communicate Clearly and Early
· Inform employees of the situation as soon as possible, using clear communication channels such as email, text, or internal messaging systems.
· Outline any changes to opening hours (e.g., delayed opening, early closure), work expectations (e.g., reduced staffing), or additional safety measures.
· Reassure your team that their safety is the priority and encourage them to avoid unnecessary risks.
o Update your website and social media channels to inform patients of the closure. You may want to include a brief statement asking the public to be patient.
o Place a clear notice on your shop window, stating that the pharmacy is temporarily closed. Include a contact number for emergencies.
For guidance on staff absence policies during extreme weather events, please refer to the Workplace Relations Commission: Absence During Extreme Weather Events.
5. Emergency Preparedness
· Secure your premises:
o Inspect for potential hazards such as loose signage, unsecured shelving, or weak structures that may be vulnerable to strong winds or flooding.
o Turn off non-essential equipment
· Keep emergency contact numbers readily available for staff, utilities, local authorities, IT providers and your insurance company.
We encourage you to prioritise safety, maintain open communication with your staff and patients, and plan ahead. These steps can help you navigate the red weather warning with minimal disruption while ensuring the well-being of your team and community.
If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact us at 01 4936401.
