Confidentiality and chemist

[Xmaspud22]

Just a rant really!

I'm on my second prescription for HRT and both times I have been to collect it from the chemist they keep saying what my prescription is in front of the whole queue.

I'm sure they could be a little more discreet and I know its nothing to be ashamed of but I don't want my prescription announcing to the shop.

This eve I went in, I said I spoke to Dr X on Fri he was sending a prescription for me and gave my name. She looked it up, ah yes the Evorel patches? But this is loud and there was a big queue behind me and with only 1 person serving. So I Said yes. Then she rings to the extension upstairs, have you got a prescription ready for first name, surname it's for Evorel patches? Then she is discussing with, yes yes the 50's. She was said they are getting it ready. Surely there could be a more discreet way of doing this?

This and last time I went in for them is the only time they feel the need to announce my prescription by the item name.

Anyway next time I'm going to ask the doc surgery to send it to the other chemist in the village!

Is it just me or would you expect a bit more confidentiality?

I was in A and E With my 11 year old son who had a penis problem. They literally discussed it in front of everyone. I had to stop them and lean in to whisper to stop him feeling so embarrassed. Was unnessaceraly horrible for him ☹️

It’s the address thing I can’t stand. I phoned up and asked to set up a password but to no avail!

@Xmaspud22 in this situation I would email the pharmacy and complain. I would say that precription details are special category information under the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and that the pharmacy assistant is breaching the regulations by handling them indiscretely. She needs to be re-trained and reminded of her responsibilities. Say that if it happens again you will report the pharmacy to the Information Commissioner's Office (www.gov.uk/data-protection/make-a-complaint).

That will hopefully spook them into action. But I would change to a different pharmacy anyway.

At my chemist’s, we have to write our name, DOB, and medication on a little form when we either request or are picking up medication. No one else in the chemist’s would know what you were getting.