Fuming at Pharmacist

[Havannah80]

My DD is on medicated milk (on perscription) because she has stomach problems.

And I have just found out that a girl who works at the pharmacy I get it from has told her partner who works with DD father that I get this milk on prescription for DD and that I must be on benefits if I'm getting free milk (clearly looking down at me) it's now gone round my DD fathers work and got back to him which is how I know it's been said!

Now my problem isn't really if she thinks I'm on benefits or not. It's more that I feel there's a breach of confidentiality here?! I don't need people knowing the ins and outs of my life such as what medicine my DD is prescribed!!

AIBU if I ring up the chemist she works at and complain?!

[Teachtolive]

YANBU. If you're sure of the facts you're well within your rights to complain. Prescriptions, whatever they're for, are private business.

[PaperdollCartoon]

If you’re really sure this is what’s happened definitely complain

[DullAndOld]

that is outrageous, definitely complain.

[PrettyLittIeThing]

Wtf?! Definitely complain.

[AreYouTerfEnough]

If she’s done this then it’s a sackable offence.

[StripeyDeckchair]

Complain in writing so you have a record and they have to act on the complain.

Very unprofessional and definitely a breach of data protection legislation, which I would mention in the complaint.

[AdoraBell]

Complain, in writing as StripeyDeckchair suggested.

[LakieLady]

That's a hugely unprofessional breach of patient confidentiality and I would complain.

[DullAndOld]

yes and send any letters 'to be signed for' so they cannot claim to have not received them.

[GuntyMcGee]

It sounds like a definite breach of confidentiality. I would definitely complain to the pharmacy manager. If this person doesn't understand the rules around confidentiality then she's probably sharing sensitive personal information about everyone she comes into contact with.

[CompleteAisling]

Woman, not girl.

Sounds like gossip though. How do you know this one woman said exactly that to her partner?

[ChelleDawg2020]

You should definitely complain if the pharmacy worker is the source of the leak.

Are you able to prove it though? How do you know it was that particular girl? Is it possible it was a cleaner who saw a prescription, or another customer who saw you getting your prescription? Or anyone at all with access to the NHS computer systems.

You should complain either way, but may have a hard time proving it was the person you suspect.

[Drum71]

If you are 100% sure then yes complain but please do be sure.

[TheJoyOfSox]

Pharmacy staff are still subject to patient confidentiality. So you are quite entitled to complain about this.
Is it a small independent pharmacy or a large chain? Because that will make a difference where you voice your complaint. (Head office if it’s a chain)

[DrinkFeckArseGirls]

All precriptions gir children are free
She’s an idiot. Please complain.

[bunbunny]

Might also be worth reminding them that revealing personal info like this is a serious breach of the Data Protection Act and as such they could be investigated and fined (hopefully some others on MN are more knowledgeable than me to know the precise technicalities of this so check them out before mentioning!) - it's taken pretty seriously.

[ILostItInTheEarlyNineties]

I'm not one for making complaints but I think in this case it's justified. Hopefully the manager of the pharmacy can retrain the employees on confidentiality at the very least.
What else is being gossiped about? Someone locally on anti depressants, Mrs. Smith down the road has piles and Joan's daughter came in for the morning after pill?

[Avasarala]

My sister working a pharmacy through late high school/early uni. She has to sit sales of medicine exams and sign all sorts of confidentiality documents.
If she's doing this with you, it shows she has no regard for it and could be spreading things about other customers as well. Imagine someone she recognises getting the abortion pill or morning after pill and she goes off telling people - there are all sorts of really private things being picked up from a pharmacy.
You need to speak to the pharmacist- not just for you but for everyone else as well. There is no chance of privacy if she's happy to blah about stuff.

[PortiaCastis]

As prescriptions for children are free what is the assistant instigating chinese whispers for

[TomRavenscroft]

I'd try to be 100% sure first, but if you are then yes, obviously complain.

[Lifeisabeach09]

YANBU.
However, bit odd this person doesn't realise that children's prescriptions are free in the UK....nothing to do with parental income.

[AnnieAnoniMouse]

completeaisling

Woman, not girl

Poster not boss-of-the-world.

[Namethecat]

Could it be that someone was you collecting the prescription ? If your 100% certain that is not the case then you should complain.

[DullAndOld]

PortiaCastis - the thing is that people are stupid and spiteful. Even if all children's prescriptions are free, just the mention of the words 'free' 'milk' and 'prescription' are enough to get people foaming, these days.

[JollyGiraffe]

So what did the pharmacist do wrong...?

Is the 'girl' a pharmacist? Or an assistant?

Very misleading title.