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Original poster

To think this was poor from the pharmacist?

242 replies

Pharmacy1one · 20/04/2024 11:57

6 weeks or so ago I got two cartilage piercings in my left ear, tragus and helix.

I kept irritating them by turning over in my sleep and my toddler has knocked them a few times too so I was getting those annoying irritation bumps which were tender. I haven't had any pus coming from them, no temperature or discharge, just a bit of clear fluid when i removed them which I know isn't that abnormal.

I went to the chemist and asked to speak to the pharmacist, receptionist asked what the problem was and I briefly explained and said I want to buy something for the inflammation but was hoping the pharmacist could take a look first.

Receptionist relays that to the pharmacist and the pharmacist decided, without looking or even speaking to me at all, that it's infected and I need to go to A&E and get antibiotics and sprays would be no good.

She had her baby with her strapped to her back so I don't think she could have sat down with me in the consultation room in the first place.

I'm a bit miffed as we are routinely encouraged to see a pharmacist for minor ailments to take the strain off of GP's and hospitals, but this is the response I got for trying.

I have PTSD after having sepsis so now I'm scared about an infection that I didn't feel I had in the first place 😔 I can't just rock up to A&E for something like this surely, and there's nobody to have my children anyway.

Do you think I'm being unreasonable for thinking her response was poor?

OP posts:
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7
Womblingmerrily · 20/04/2024 14:19

In terms of the pharmacist's time being used.

For community pharmacist programmes - they are paid by the NHS to see and assess people - I think it's £1,000 a month.

For private pharmacists, I guess they can see people if they think the costs of their time in seeing/talking to them will be reimbursed by that individual spending a significant amount of money on products from their pharmacy.

I think it could be a business decision rather than anything else.

Original poster
Pharmacy1one · 20/04/2024 14:19

ThinWomansBrain · 20/04/2024 14:17

potentially pussy - she chose not to look
my point stands, she felt capable of fulfilling prescriptions carrying her baby, not to do 1:1 consultations. Her other option might be not to open at weekends.

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Then all she need say is that she can't see me now and perhaps suggest I call 111 for advice, not direct me to A&E.

OP posts:
Noyesnoyes · 20/04/2024 14:18

@chocmatcha or the pharmacist was rubbish?

ThinWomansBrain · 20/04/2024 14:18

Do you speak to people in person the way you speak to people online?

pot, kettle black?

WatermelonWaveclub · 20/04/2024 14:18

thoseinperil · 20/04/2024 12:09

Not all pharmacists have taken on consultations.
GP

Ime, pharmacists have always looked at things (injuries, burns etc) and given advice. They have taken on extra scope of practice to add to what they have always done.

Original poster
Pharmacy1one · 20/04/2024 14:17

chocmatcha · 20/04/2024 14:13

I'm not I just can't see the point of seeking advice from a trained professional and then ignore it. I don't mean to come across unpleasant

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Do you speak to people in person the way you speak to people online?

OP posts:
ThinWomansBrain · 20/04/2024 14:17

Pharmacy1one · 20/04/2024 13:37

There is no puss thanks. Can't you be bothered to read the OP?

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potentially pussy - she chose not to look
my point stands, she felt capable of fulfilling prescriptions carrying her baby, not to do 1:1 consultations. Her other option might be not to open at weekends.

Original poster
Pharmacy1one · 20/04/2024 14:16

SwingTheMonkey · 20/04/2024 14:11

What are you being so unpleasant?

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I'd like to know that too. I find it completely bizarre. Decent people don't approach randomers on the Internet and speak to them like that. Anybody would think I'd insulted them.

OP posts:
imparsleythelion · 20/04/2024 14:14

But it wasn’t just a sore ear. From your original post OP you explained to the counter assistant your issue and what you have done so far. The counter assistant would have passed this information on to the pharmacist. The pharmacist knowing they were newish piercings, the ears were sore, the piercings were sinking in the ears and you were asking for something for the inflammation they would know that there was nothing they could sell you and would be rightly concerned regarding infection. Inflammation is a sign of infection.
Both Community Pharmacies (Chemists) and GP practices are private businesses providing NHS services.
Before the NHS was formed GPs were private to encourage them to be part of the NHS they were allowed to remain as private business.

chocmatcha · 20/04/2024 14:13

SwingTheMonkey · 20/04/2024 14:11

What are you being so unpleasant?

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I'm not I just can't see the point of seeking advice from a trained professional and then ignore it. I don't mean to come across unpleasant

Original poster
Pharmacy1one · 20/04/2024 14:12

chocmatcha · 20/04/2024 14:10

She probably didn't need to based on the information given or its the standard advice they are told to give out. Go to a&e and don't take the risk

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There's something very wrong if the stock answer for a sore ear is to go to A&E.

OP posts:
SwingTheMonkey · 20/04/2024 14:11

chocmatcha · 20/04/2024 13:15

Don't ask the professionals advice next time if you know better

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What are you being so unpleasant?

chocmatcha · 20/04/2024 14:10

Noyesnoyes · 20/04/2024 13:59

@chocmatcha the pharmacist didn't even look at the ear, that's the whole point, she appeared disinterested and preoccupied.

She probably didn't need to based on the information given or its the standard advice they are told to give out. Go to a&e and don't take the risk

chocmatcha · 20/04/2024 14:09

Pharmacy1one · 20/04/2024 14:03

The receptionist!

Jesus christ

I asked the receptionist if I could have a word with the pharmacist because I'd like to buy a spray for my ear but wanted to know what one she'd reccomend.

The receptionist asked what the problem is.

I told the receptionist that I had to take out ear piercings as they were sore and sinking into my ear and I wanted something to sooth / calm down the inflammation

Receptionist passed that on.

The pharmacist then passed a message back that sprays wouldn't do anything and I need to go to A&E as it'll be an infection.

....without even looking at the ear.

As PP pointed out, there is a clear difference between inflammation and infection. I have no PUS*, no temperature etc.

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Yes, you asked the receptionist who asked the pharmacist.

That's what I said

Original poster
Pharmacy1one · 20/04/2024 14:07

Bumblebeeinatree · 20/04/2024 13:59

Surely you just put a bit of Savlon or something on it, or wash with saline. If that doesn't help and it gets swollen and really infected GP.

I didn't have anything like savlon but would have gladly bought whatever the pharmacist suggested.. if she'd bothered to speak to me.

She has given me advice that doesn't apply. My ear is not infected, it's sore as hell because the bars were too small it seems.

Edited to say - it already feels 10 x better since removing the bars and there's no pus to be seen.

OP posts:
Original poster
Pharmacy1one · 20/04/2024 14:03

chocmatcha · 20/04/2024 13:58

Who asked the professional

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The receptionist!

Jesus christ

I asked the receptionist if I could have a word with the pharmacist because I'd like to buy a spray for my ear but wanted to know what one she'd reccomend.

The receptionist asked what the problem is.

I told the receptionist that I had to take out ear piercings as they were sore and sinking into my ear and I wanted something to sooth / calm down the inflammation

Receptionist passed that on.

The pharmacist then passed a message back that sprays wouldn't do anything and I need to go to A&E as it'll be an infection.

....without even looking at the ear.

As PP pointed out, there is a clear difference between inflammation and infection. I have no PUS*, no temperature etc.

OP posts:
CoconutQueen · 20/04/2024 14:02

I really hope someone makes a complaint against this pharmacist. Of course she should not be working in this role with a baby strapped to her back. Her employer should be informed.

Bumblebeeinatree · 20/04/2024 13:59

Surely you just put a bit of Savlon or something on it, or wash with saline. If that doesn't help and it gets swollen and really infected GP.

Noyesnoyes · 20/04/2024 13:59

@chocmatcha the pharmacist didn't even look at the ear, that's the whole point, she appeared disinterested and preoccupied.

chocmatcha · 20/04/2024 13:58

Pharmacy1one · 20/04/2024 13:57

No. I didn't ask the professional anything because I didn't get the opportunity to speak to her. I only spoke to the receptionist who passed on a blatant fob off.

Edited
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Who asked the professional

chocmatcha · 20/04/2024 13:57

Pharmacy1one · 20/04/2024 13:29

Oh, look who is feigning concern.

On what grounds?

The receptionist told her I have a sore ear so have removed a piercing, she immediately jumps to A&E.

You are being deliberately provocative because you have read my PP about having sepsis related PTSD, you are a nasty piece of work and it shines through your posts. Please, will you leave the thread?

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That poster has a point. The pharmacist us giving you the advice to seek medical help urgently. You're ignoring it. Yes your ear might be fine but if it's not it needs seeing urgently. That's why they didn't say to wait til Monday.

Original poster
Pharmacy1one · 20/04/2024 13:57

chocmatcha · 20/04/2024 13:54

Yes you asked the professional what to do. You didn't like her answer, fine. But there's no point asking if you're just going to ignore it

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No. I didn't ask the professional anything because I didn't get the opportunity to speak to her. I only spoke to the receptionist who passed on a blatant fob off.

OP posts:
chocmatcha · 20/04/2024 13:54

Pharmacy1one · 20/04/2024 13:25

Professionals advice!

She didn't even look at the ear or ask me one solitary question.

You can't just diagnose somebody with an infection and tell them to go to A&E for a sore ear / throat / arse or whatever else - atleast you shouldn't be doing. Imagine if every person with a sore ear or throat went to A&E.

Even 111 run through a screening questionnaire before making their reccomendation of where / if to go anywhere, and we all know how pointless a service that feels at the best of times.

Come off it.

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Yes you asked the professional what to do. You didn't like her answer, fine. But there's no point asking if you're just going to ignore it

Original poster
Pharmacy1one · 20/04/2024 13:53

TheCatOnTheBedIsAllMineAllMine · 20/04/2024 13:50

Pus

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Why are you correcting my spelling?

OP posts:
Shiveringinthecountry · 20/04/2024 13:51

CucumberBagel
Is @Geebray OK? Lot of misplaced anger there.

Pointing out that Boots pharmacists don't work for the NHS?*

Oh, sorry. I see now.