Being quizzed by chemist's assistant in Boots.

Basically Netherby I sympathise
Too many jobsworths too much control too little consideration for privacy and big steps away from anything that could be called ‘personal’. It’s understandable you became rude, correct that you apologised. I also sympathise with the poor girl behind the counter trying to do what has become her job. The system is crazy and to whom does one complain? Kier Starmer? Good luck with that one!

I’m really not liking the judgemental posts by German shepherds mum and have reported them
There is absolutely no need to be so judgmental!

I have gone to local chemist and asked if I can see the pharmacist and of course was asked why. Fortunately I have never had to ask for advice on anything where my privacy or dignity were compromised. If I ever felt the GP is who I NEED to see I would insist I got an appointment .

I wouldn't have an issue with them asking questions re health, etc., but I think it is unreasonable to be expected to answer what might be quite personal questions in a public area.

I remember taking a urine sample into the doctors years ago and the receptionist asked, in a loud voice, whether it was for a pregnancy test! (it wasn't). That, I thought, was unnecessary and inappropriate in a waiting room full of people.

Re pharmacists prescribing, I’ve just been advised in a telephone consultation with a pharmacist, that I should -
1. Try different tablets for blood pressure, because the ones they gave me make my ankles swell.
That was OK, till he suggested a tablet that I’ve already had problems with, so it was withdrawn.

2. Questioned about whether I felt I still needed the painkiller gel they provide for an ongoing problem -yes I do, though if the doc could come up with a different cure . . .

3. Suggested I might take statins, despite the fact that my doc’s report said/showed my cholesterol levels were normal.
Finally, if I have any problems, a quick call to the surgery should get them sorted out.🤣🤣🤣

👍🏻🤞*utterbliss*.

GSM, sorry to see you are being got at again. I have said this previously I have found you to be a great help.

(PS. I have planted the seeds.)

As far as pharmacists are concerned some are very efficient and knowledgeable others not as good.
I asked whether I should be taking the two different medications together and was informed that is fine.

What I wasn't told is not to take them at the same time.
Felt very queasy.

I have several times ordered online the things you can now buy from a pharmacy without prescription - eg antibiotics for cystitis. I have always had to go though a little questionnaire about the purpose of my purchase, any medication Im currently on, etc.

Years ago I recall having a bad bout of cyctitis come on just as I was leaving for a work trip to Belgium. The pharmacist in London apologised that she could not sell it to me without a prescription but told me I would have no difficulty in getting it in Brussells. She was correct. I picked it up in the airport pharmacy on arrival without a single question being asked.

Walked into pharmacies all over Europe and the Middle East and just got what I wanted over the counter. It is very common in these countries (where you have to pay for a doctor) to simply go to the pharmacy, describe your symptoms and come out with medication.

I fully concur, an absolutely concise observation of the current situation that some little think tank dreamt up to ‘Improve the NHS’ our beloved NHS that we all were all so proud of has hit the skids. No one governments blame we’ve all seen it coming but the thing that is so lamentable is that roping in Pharmacists
Receptionists and now shop assistants and thinking it’s an improvement! Where will it end ? Will supermarket first aiders be doing minor ops?
On a lighter note I had a need to purchase some Citric Acid after scouring the home baking shelves in all my local supermarkets I tried my luck in Boots The Chemist. The counter assistant of some 17-18 yrs eyed me suspiciously and asked me what I wanted it for. I, although puzzled guessed that he may be helpfully hoping to offer an alternative. I replied ‘I’m wanting to make some Sherbet Dips for a school Bring & Buy ! He was visibly relieved and said ‘ Oh that’s ok then we have to ask because drug dealers buy it to cut heroin and coccaine . My response ‘ Young man do I look like a drug dealer I’m a 70 yr old Grandmother for heavens sake
Later that day I considered, perhaps I should have been flattered to think he may have mistaken me for a ‘hippy chick’ if that’s what they are called these days

Thank you very much MrsW2.

I'm sure your rudeness was justified. At my local Boots I find most of the assistants and pharmacists rude, inefficient and haughty. I avoid the place as much as I can. I think it must have something to do with their training.

I just felt the need to reinforce Whiffs post. GSM is an absolute asset to this forum, guaranteed to help us all.

The Government have commissioned Pharmacists, in addition, to their substantive tasks, to provide health support within the community so I would imagine all staff have a role to play. As customers, we can always ask if there is a private space should that be necessary.

Like at the drs you do not have to explain you simply say I’m sorry but I’d rather not discuss it for everyone else’s ears it’s a personal matter and they will not ask you anything else about it and put you through to a dr etc. I was standing explaining my condition one day and then I took my seat a lady behind me said it was a personal issue and she wasn’t asked anything else when she sat down next to me she said next time say what I said it’s your business not the guard dogs lol

I don’t mind answering questions in a private place. I’m not at all easily embarrassed but think it is common courtesy to be given a place away from the inevitable queue to talk. I also don’t think it’s up to the receptionist/pharmacy assistant to make a judgement on whether they will permit you to see the required person. They are information gatherers and are NOT medically trained to triage you. Unfortunately this often happens and is extremely irritating. I am polite but very firm. I will not be fobbed off! If the OP is uncomfortable with being asked personal questions so publicly, then request a quiet corner if no room is available. You honestly get treated better at the vets sometimes. But then, of course you are paying while we are encouraged to believe the NHS is ‘free’.

In 2014 I went to the pharmacy with chest pains, aching jaw, nausea and pain between shoulder blades the pharmacist prescribed gaviscon. The next morning feeling no better I called 111 and was admitted to hospital having had a heart attack - I did complain to the pharmacy afterwards about being treated for indigestion when it wasn’t ( the hospital could tell from elevated blood levels that it had occurred the day before) the pharmacist just said oh must have happened after he spoke to me !

Pharmacists are far more knowledgeable about drugs than most doctors, who tend to rely heavily upon 'accepted practice', bolstered by literature pushed at them by Big Pharma's agents. They do tend to flag unsuitable drug combinations, and rightly so.

In addition, it is normal in France, where pharmacists don't even have a consulting role (yet), for there to be a confidentality line in pharmacies, meaning that the person at the counter is at least 2m away from the next person in the queue. This should not be difficult for UK pharmacies to arrange.

I have not used Boots, apart from one time, since they were taken over by Walgreens as I'm none too keen on the Americanization of this country. I went in and asked if they had a disposal service for the lancets I use for my daily blood tests and received short shrift from the pharmacist and went elsewhere! Seriously by falling for the latest government nonsense about going to the pharmacist 1st just allows Sunak and co to massage their dodgy figures even further. Toodlepip.

i have had this before and before they start asking questions i ask them if we could go into the side room (it is for addicts to get there daily medication) i have only had a problem once and that was at a boot's chemist, i take 15 pills in the morning and another 12 at night, i can't take anything with ibuprofen in it but have been told it will be fine.

So what do you think to a dr when giving me the wrong dose of my tabs recently a repeat one ( I picked her up on it ) then tells me she is not going to give me another prescription they are very expensive ! And told me I’m to wait and see my consultant yet I’ve been having these tabs on repeat ongoing since last year! I will be telling my consultant when I see him

I can sympathise with Netherbyg - I know exactly what she means. It happened to me the other day when I went to get an over the counter pill - been to the same place for years - and the assistant fussed around finding the boxes and then proceeded to quiz me about what other medication I took. Had I taken them before - yes - lots of times- this went on and on - I have bought them there many times in the past - There were quite a few other people in the shop - it didn’t really annoy me - it was a bit like an episode of Fawlty Towers or a Ronnie Barker sketch. They were all grinning😂😂 Anyway, I refused to name all the stuff that I regularly have to take - none of her business or of all the other customers behind me. Sometimes I’m afraid, the law is an ass.

My daughter had a p/t job in a chemist when she was 16. I hope she didn’t try to advise anyone !

If a counter assistant says put ear drops only around the outside of the ear, or to use a nasal spray inside the ear, then clearly no one should ever take any notice whatsoever of anything they say. These counter assistants were talking rubbish and possibly dangerous rubbish in the case of the one who said to spray the nasal spray inside the ear. Take advice only from the actual pharmacist.

Pharmacists, like doctors and nurses, are extremely busy. The counter assistant 's duty is to get information from you in a concise form so the pharmacist will not have to spend unnecessary time getting the info they need to answer your problem.

That said, the counter assistant should not have to ask personal questions where others can hear. The shop management is at fault if this is not done.
There is no excuse for not installing a small plain space for the counter assistant -receptionist's initial questions.

Any chemist that assumes I am stupid, as some seem to do, is boycotted by me. There are plenty around. I have a lovely local one who is just helpful and respectful and I wouldn’t change her, she is sensible and knowledgeable.

RunaroundSue

A GP, health assistant or pharmacist should never ask you about your health problems in front of other people. There is a thing called patient confidentiality. I know there is now a new protocol where there are posters on the wall of the surgery telling patients that assistant will have to ask patients about their medical problems so they can be triaged but it dies not give them the right to ask personal questions in front of other people, you should have been taken into a separate room.

There seems to be no such thing as confidentiality any more!
The rules used to be so strict and the penalty for staff was instant dismissal.