// Boots drafts in more than 500 drivers to deliver medicine to vulnerable customers

// The retailer said it has introduced the delivery service to another 40 UK stores

Boots has hired over 500 drivers to deliver prescriptions to vulnerable people across the UK amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The health and beauty retailer has introduced prescription delivery in another 40 stores across the UK.

The new recruits will join Boots Pharmacy Delivery and Collection team, who continue to help local communities during the ongoing Covid-19 crisis by delivering essential prescription medicines to those who are self-isolating or cannot get to their local pharmacy.

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Boots delivered an average of 90,000 prescriptions a week just last month, and has increased this to an estimated 150,000 in the last week.

Many of the drivers have lost their jobs or are unable to work normally due to Covid-19.

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

“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.”

Boots said it streamlined its recruitment process to hire essential workers as fast as possible.

It reduced the time taken between interviews and contract offers being sent to just two hours in some cases, with new employees able to start jobs the very next day.

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