DO NOT CALL 111 for baby formula

[MinkowskisButterfly]

I am posting this in the hope it STOPS one person from ringing 111 for baby formula. I saw this posted on fb this morning. Just another example of stupid.

I truly despair.

A desperate mother who can't find formula, possibly doesn't drive, possibly on limited income and a while other fucking set of problems should absolutely ring 111

If they are worried about thier babys health obviously call 111 but not to expect them to phone a chemist for them!

There is no evidence that the person posting the message actually phoned! They are probably just like the idiots who posted advice to phone the milk manufacturers and they will send you free milk, stirring ignoramuses.
They are giving false hope to parents its all kinds of wrong.

I have so much sympathy. I don’t know if 111 can actually do anything either though?
Of course you want your baby to eat but there are people scared for their unwell babies and trying to receive medical advice via 111. I don’t know the answers.

Anyone who has access to the internet should first be asking around on local groups. There are some very lovely people out there who will help. I’ve seen so many people offering nappies and formula to complete strangers for free.

111 are way too busy. There is baby milk in the shops, people need to calm down and yep stop panic buying

Oh fgs, people will try anything to feed a baby. Someone doing this would presumably have tried local shops and calling 111.

A young mum might have trapsed around supermarkets for days with no luck. She might have called around local pharmacies. She might have no spare data or call credit. She might have a MH problem or LD. She might be recovering from a CS or traumatic birth. She might have not slept, and a solution that is obvious to you might not occur to her due to sheer exhaustion and panic.

It's hard enough being a new mum without a pandemic to consider. Let's be a bit kinder please.

While 111 is not the appropriate service for getting formula (perhaps the HV or midwife is better), I can understand that someone might do it out of sheer desperation.

I tried 111 earlier because I wanted someone to come and administer end of life medication to my Nan (GP said to call 111 out of hours). I couldn't get through at all. Thankfully managed to find district nurse number and she is coming out to me.

It's an awful time.

You can’t call 111 if you have no minutes left

You can only call 999

I agree with a previous poster. Pharmacies are overrun with trying to dispense prescriptions to patients. So I would contact the manufacturer directly firstlt. Also if possible give the baby whatever formula you get your hands on. Not always easy I know as different milks might not suit baby but it is worth a try. I would give every pharmacy in your local area a ring and see if they can order a particular brand in for you and what the timescale may be as a last resort. Also reach out to family and friends to see if they can get some for you when out shopping themselves.

You can’t call 111 if you have no minutes left. You can only call 999

111 is free to call.

Even if it isn't, this is an interesting cherry pick of my post.

No, it may be free but you still need minutes to call them

And oh well.

So I would contact the manufacturer directly first
Why?
What do you think.they are going to do?

I've contacted SMA, Cow and Gate as well as aptamil and none are able to sell milk. I've got a few tubs but at the moment my daughter gets through a tub in less than a week! We're self isolating as my husband has a myriad of conditions and I've tried to order as much online as possible but trying to find any brand is hard. I'm facing the prospect that I'll have to start weaning at 4 months if the milk can't be found.

It took me 20 calls just to get through to one pharmacy today. No wonder people are terrified.

Alright then. I refer you to the 7 other reasons I named in my post where it would be understandable someone would panic and call 111.

If your baby is under 6 months old contact your health visitor. Many are trying to help women re-establish supplies and / or referring vulnerable people for formula prescriptions

Pharmacies are overrun with trying to dispense prescriptions to patients

Are they? There are no extra prescriptions related to the virus. Other than closing an hour earlier than usual my nearest Boots wasn't remotely by any stretch of the imagination overrun when I was in this morning and yesterday morning to collect 2 routine repeat prescriptions.

Yes it’s stupid people suggesting it but I’ve never been in the situation where I could potentially have nothing to feed my small baby who can’t eat solids so I am not judging anyone, It would be a Scary and desperate situation to find yourself in.

I don't think anyone is suggesting that a desperate mum who can't find formula anywhere is an arsehole for phoning 111. Anyone encouraging people to call 111 for formula on FB is though.

@MissBarbary
as a pharmacist I can assure you while people have been panic buying. Many have been stockpiling their prescribed medication. Any pharmacies I know of are completely overwhelmed.

I should add to that ...in normal circumstances sourcing out of stock baby formula is definitely something I would help you with.

There is an exception. If your baby is on prescribed formula for health issues (premature / ill / allergy) and your pharmacy has not been able to source the formula or GP has not communicated with pharmacy (formula that you cannot buy in shops or order online) you can call 111 prescriptions.

Obviously you wouldn’t do it for 99% of cases - I just wanted to note that there is a reason for a very select few.

@MissBarbary

I queued outside my village pharmacy at 9am today for 30 minutes to collect a prescription. All bar one (who wanted paracetamol that was unavailable) were collecting prescriptions too. There were stacks of the bags with medications in. More than I've noticed before.

I don't have infants but what are those with little babies who are FF doing if there is nothing left in the shelf? How do you feed your baby?

TBF, they were only letting in 3 people at a time, but there were about 20 of us queuing. Plus I know there were similar queues yesterday as well.

as a pharmacist I can assure you while people have been panic buying. Many have been stockpiling their prescribed medication. Any pharmacies I know of are completely overwhelmed

Why are doctors issuing prescriptions which allow stockpiling? I am on 2 repeat prescriptions and it would be impossible for me to stockpile them. I can only get what my script allows.

I queued outside my village pharmacy at 9am today for 30 minutes to collect a prescription. All bar one (who wanted paracetamol that was unavailable) were collecting prescriptions too. There were stacks of the bags with medications in. More than I've noticed before

No queues at all mid morning yesterday and today in a city centre Boots. My prescriptions were available to collect in an hour which is their normal turnaround.