Being quizzed by chemist's assistant in Boots.

I have also found that I am advised to go to the GP. I haven’t actually seen a GP for years, usually a nurse or paramedic. I do think every pharmacist should have a private space where you can speak confidentially whatever you have.

Theexwife

Without asking the questions it would not be known if a pharmacist appointment was nessersary.

Or if a pharmacist could deal with the problem. My understanding is that there is a specific list of conditions which pharmacists are allowed to prescribe for. It could very well have been that the pharmacist couldn't help and a GP appointment would have been necessary anyway. I know that my local pharmacists are run off their feet and they don't have the time to go through all the symptoms, only to tell someone in the end that they can't help.

The list of things that they advise you to see a pharmacist about is pretty basic and I think most of the advice would end with "If it hasn't improved in a few days you need to see your GP"

Like growstuff I can't imagine our pharmacist having much time to advise anyone. There is a queue of people in the pharmacy all day.

Our pharmacy in the health centre has been modernised just recently the staff at the counter are now elevated above the counter and the customers. Any conversation is heard by all in the shop as people have to queue single file right in front of the counter.
Basic questions have to be asked to ascertain whether relevant for a pharmacist consultation. However having details shouted out for all to hear is not acceptable. There is no need to be rude but there clearly is a need for privacy when giving out personal details.

Redhead56

Our pharmacy in the health centre has been modernised just recently the staff at the counter are now elevated above the counter and the customers. Any conversation is heard by all in the shop as people have to queue single file right in front of the counter.
Basic questions have to be asked to ascertain whether relevant for a pharmacist consultation. However having details shouted out for all to hear is not acceptable. There is no need to be rude but there clearly is a need for privacy when giving out personal details.

However having details shouted out for all to hear is not acceptable

It most certainly is not.

I have a problem with my digestive system - and I would refuse to discuss the effects that certain medications have on it in front of random shoppers. It's intimate and personal and no-one should be compromised like that.

I once went into Boots to get a prescription filled and suffered the indignity of the counter assistant screeching out ‘Vagifem’ at the top of her voice. Fortunately I’m not easily embarrassed but I did ask her if she’d like a megaphone so that more of the store could hear her.

My DH was red faced when the assistant shouted out Mr R what flavour Fibagel do you want all over the shop

Redhead56

My DH was red faced when the assistant shouted out Mr R what flavour Fibagel do you want all over the shop

For heavens sake, Why?
Fybogel is hardly the same as flavoured condoms, Tena ladies or Anusol suppositories!

FoghornLeghorn

I once went into Boots to get a prescription filled and suffered the indignity of the counter assistant screeching out ‘Vagifem’ at the top of her voice. Fortunately I’m not easily embarrassed but I did ask her if she’d like a megaphone so that more of the store could hear her.

on first reading i thought this was some kind of vitamin B enriched food supplement,
but maybe that's vegimite.

The counter assistant sounds as if they were rather full of their own self-importance. Give some people a title, a name badge and a uniform and they think they're MI5.

I do hope this Jobsworth is bound by a rule of confidentiality - you hope.

Illegal immigrants use pharmacists when they need medicine but aren't registered with a doctor, so it is necessary to ask personal questions. However, as others have said, you are entitled to privacy.

Seriously?? Whatever happened to basic common sense and asking outright, before a full conversation gets underway, "Could we please go somewhere a little more private?" Not difficult is it?

Netherbyg84 Wed 17-Apr-24 16:19:08
The Germanshepherd poster, I have noticed, gives quite snappy replies.

Has she never been rude to somebody and then apologised?

I totally agree, I have never seen the Germanshepherd poster give a non snappy reply. When I see the name I just ignore it.

Curtaintwitcher

Illegal immigrants use pharmacists when they need medicine but aren't registered with a doctor, so it is necessary to ask personal questions. However, as others have said, you are entitled to privacy.

Amazing how you can managed to bring it round to an immigrant causing a problem Curtaintwitcher
Perhaps the pharmacist or doctor helping you is an immigrant think on!
If someone stood on my foot you’d say I bet that was an immigrant 🤣

What a nasty post Runaroundsue

I was a pharmacy dispenser and we were trained according to strict government guidelines. All the questioning is legally required.
Some pharmacists require a questionnaire to be completed to make their job easier as they have a highly pressurised job.
There are frequent mystery shoppers who are government inspectors making sure that the correct questions are asked.
The OP should have asked to speak somewhere privately if that is what they wanted. Asking for a pharmacist shouldn't be the first question as the person on the counter could be a dispenser who can diagnose minor ailments and just needs to ask the pharmacist to sign off the correct medication. Your medical history is important as conditions and medication are sometimes incompatible.
My advice to the OP is to try another pharmacy as this new additional service is in its infancy and pharmacies are more stretched than ever. You WILL be asked intrusive questions though, just ask for privacy. The person on the counter knows what they are doing.

Least you managed to apologise netherbyg84 hopefully they can raise how difficult is asking personal questions at the counter and save others from your bad experience.

Embarrassment as we are often told stops many people from seeking help. Perhaps we should just acclimatise ourselves to oversharing with the use of programmes like naked bodies, or whatever it’s called, and that older programme about embarrassing health problems etc they could be broadcast on prime time tv like the soaps!

I was in my local pharmacy trying to decide which product might be best when I realised I was overhearing a private consultation in a makeshift consultation room. If the person inside discovers that folk outside can hear everything I think they will be very very embarrassed.

BlueBelle

Curtaintwitcher

Illegal immigrants use pharmacists when they need medicine but aren't registered with a doctor, so it is necessary to ask personal questions. However, as others have said, you are entitled to privacy.

Amazing how you can managed to bring it round to an immigrant causing a problem Curtaintwitcher
Perhaps the pharmacist or doctor helping you is an immigrant think on!
If someone stood on my foot you’d say I bet that was an immigrant 🤣

What a nasty post Runaroundsue

So how does the pharmacist decide if the customer is an ‘illegal immigrant’ and in what way is it any of their business

Another round of support for germanshepherdsmum from me. One of the kindest posters and always willing to offer well informed advice to others. We are at opposite ends of some political views but I’ve never received anything other than courtesy - even when disagreeing strongly

The OP should have asked to speak somewhere privately if that is what they wanted.

I think the onus is on the person on the counter, who needs to ask these questions, to suggest a chat in a private room.
The general public don't know what questions will be asked until it's too late.

Pharmacists have a private room. All that’s needed is a request to see the pharmacist privately
They’re highly skilled and have been silently supporting the GP surgeries for years. The increase in their work load isn’t funded and feels like another poorly thought out panic response to problems the govt should have avoided

Oh dear

I have nothing but respect and praise for our local independent pharmacy and all its staff. They have helped two members of my immediate family in recent weeks, both were extremely poorly and the advice given was 100% accurate according to their GP”s. They also advised me on over the counter sleep aids which were compatible with my numerous medications.

The Boots pharmacists at the local retail park have given much appreciated advice when dispensing prescriptions to me over the years.

I feel for anyone who has face-to-face dealings with the general public, manners, respect and common curtesy appear to be in decline.

Netherbyg you apologised for being rude. I think being stressed and possibly embarrassed excuses you.
A private room should be offered, not asked for.
I would not like to be questioned by a shop assistant either about personal details whether in private or at a counter. I don't like it at the doctors either. And some ailments are embarrassing enough when talking to the GP.
Sadly, we are being forced to accept these changes and it is difficult for many of us.
Oh for the good old days when we felt we were important and cared for by the NHS.
As for assistants shouting out vagifem, or anything else, not much training there.

No need for comments about illegal immigrants and GSM.
They add nothing to the thread. 😔

I’d go to another chemist in future. Writing down someone’s health issues is not on and I am wondering why they would do this. I’d be furious.

In our small local pharmacy there is a prominent notice informing you that you can ask to speak privately to a member of staff if you wish.
Our problem is that the pharmacist commutes between the four pharmacies he runs, so you have to catch him first.

FoghornLeghorn

I once went into Boots to get a prescription filled and suffered the indignity of the counter assistant screeching out ‘Vagifem’ at the top of her voice. Fortunately I’m not easily embarrassed but I did ask her if she’d like a megaphone so that more of the store could hear her.

Assistants must make the pharmacist aware of every sale of items that are marked PO (pharmacy only). We were trained to simply wave the item behind the counter in the pharmacist's view. No shouting needed.
This is done because should anything sold cause the patient any trouble the buck stops with the pharmacist not the assistant who sold the item. It is physically impossible for the one pharmacist who is often working a long day with no break to do all the jobs that they are ultimately responsible for.