To think Pharmacy First id a load of bollocks

[goneaway2]

Went to two pharamcies today to get me ear looked at as suspect I'm getting my 2nd ear infection within about 6 weeks. Neither would look at my ear, despite one having the pharamcy first advert on their counter stating they deal with ear infections, because I'm over 18! Phoned the Dr, they told me to go to the Pharmacy, told them what had a happened and no appointments. I have to phone 1st thing tomorrow for an emergency one. NHS direct tell me to use Pharmacy first for ear infections, as do the Out of hour service.
What on earth is the point of Pharmacy First? Would it really have killed them to take 20 seconds to look at my ear?

One of the biggest problems with pharmacy first is that GP receptionists and even 111 call handlers don’t seem to know what the criteria is. I’ve had to send people back to the GP so many times because they’ve been referred to us and it’s outside the guidelines pharmacies have to work in.

The appropriate procedure for ear infections seems to confuse the hell out of GP staff and pharmacists. A couple of months ago, I made a GP appointment for DS7's nasty ear infection - was sent away by GP with a flea in my ear, use pharmacy first, don't waste appointments, etc. It did clear up on its own after a week of misery for DS.

Last week, a weird smell and discharge started in the same ear. (DS swims a lot). I went to the pharmacy - he needs a routine GP appointment, nothing they can do. Used the online GP system, trying to be helpful (and mindful of last time) I stated that there was no temp, no pain, DS was happily at school, but there was possibly a further infection. Received a call from a stroppy receptionist (is there any other kind?) admonishing me for submitting a "non-urgent" e-consult, insisting that DS must be seen that day and therefore that I should take him to the walk-in immediately because the GP had no appointments left. I did and DS was given abx.

I am none the wiser about what we are "supposed" to do with ear infections, but I'll definitely take the mild bollocking from a GP and swerve the pharmacist next time.

I've used it and actually found it very good (easy to book and they could see me very quickly), although they did send me straight to A&E where they said the pharmacist was wrong and sent me home.

I ended up being admitted the next day, with exactly what the pharmacist had said...

So not a brilliant experience overall, but the Pharmacy First bit worked well!

Perhaps you were caught by the guidelines that discourage GP's etc writing prescriptions for things that are readily available OTC?
I would just buy Pirtion or whatever the Pharacist suggested but I appreciate that it may not be affordable for all.

I've used it twice with success, first time DS and second time me, both with tonsillitis that hadn't gone with usual paracetamol, fluids etc both times walked out within 10-15 minutes with antibiotics which cleared it up. DS was on a Sunday.
Your GP is the one in the wrong advising you incorrectly that pharmacy first deal with ear infections in adults.

Agree with other poster, if the medication is available over the counter pharmacy first/GP shouldn't prescribe it but advise you what to purchase. Legally nothing stopping them from prescribing it anyway, some might just do that, but guidance/pressure to stop this. Also some medications are only over-the-counter for adults or patients over the age of 12 so in those cases prescription also required if patient is too young.

If it's a prescription only medication, such as antibiotics, then it'll be prescribed and you'll pay/not pay prescription charge as you would do normally.