Boots UK has hired more than 500 extra drivers to deliver prescriptions to vulnerable people during the coronavirus crisis, and is rolling out deliveries to an additional 40 stores.

The new recruits are joining the multiple’s pharmacy delivery and collection team (PDC), who have been working throughout the pandemic to deliver prescriptions to patients who are self-isolating or cannot get to their local pharmacy.

Boots said yesterday that in the last week it had delivered an estimated 150,000 prescriptions – a 66 per cent increase on the weekly average of 90,000 four weeks ago. 

This is being achieved through adding 400 vehicles to its delivery fleet, as well as a rapid recruitment drive. The company has streamlined its recruitment process to hire essential workers and has reduced the time taken between interviews and job offers to just two hours in some cases, with many new employees able to start jobs the next day.

Many of the new PDC drivers are individuals who have lost their jobs or cannot work as normal because of Covid-19. Some have been provided by energy supplier EDF, which has also donated some of its vans to support Boots’ delivery work.

Nathan Clements, HR director at Boots UK and ROI, commented: “As an essential public service, Boots has a special role and duty to support the NHS in any way we can.

“I’d like to thank all our colleagues, particularly those who have recently joined us - not only as drivers, but also in our warehouses and pharmacies, and our partners, who are stepping forward onto the front line to help care for patients across the UK.”