Are pharmacists sufficiently trained?

Thank you. Yes I finally got to sleep, and feel more rational this morning.

As you guessed, I’m not one who investigates or informs herself much about health issues as far as I was concerned I had a sore toe which needed antibiotics - but it turned into a life or death situation😮😮 after I googled all the potential hazards. So I shall get up in a minute and decide how it is looking. Then if it is spreading etc go to get it sorted. It certainly feels less painful. - probably just a sign of gangrene😄😄😄.

Even if it is an infection which needs antibiotic in the end, don't worry about the more alarmist posts here! NF is extremely rare, as are other life threatening infections of fingers or toes!
It can be difficult even for doctors to decide when to prescribe antibiotics, especially nowadays with all the warnings about overuse.
Hope your toe feels a bit better when you're up.

Given the appropriate training, and with the appropriate safeguards built in, Pharmacists may well be clinically capable of prescribing antibiotics for certain conditions. However, there are other significant implications. Some experts in anti-microbial resistance are worried that such a scheme could promote over-prescription of drugs which should only be used sparingly. We're already aware that even G'P.'s are often reluctant to prescribe anti-biotics because of the danger of breeding drug-resistant superbugs, so surely this move will only increase that risk. I have very mixed feelings about any further dropping of prescription thresholds.

If it was my foot I’d take a photo of it. ( I did that when DH had an infected vein on his leg when we were away from home). I’d probably phone 111. If they think it sounds as if it needs antibiotics I think they can arrange to send a prescription to a nearby chemist. And it will all be on record. (That’s what happened when I found a tick on my leg in deer country: in the end they didn’t prescribe them because the chance of contracting Lyme disease was low and the antibiotic needed had horrible side effects). I don’t have much faith in pharmacists I’m afraid after the problem I had with my eye. And, unless things have changed since I retired I found that some doctors were happy to hand out antibiotics and with some it was like trying to get water out of a stone. With both pharmacists and doctors I’d always ask for a second opinion if I was still worried. I’m wondering what sort of insurance cover pharmacists will have when it comes to prescribing antibiotics because if they’re in fear of litigation they will hand them out more often. I knew someone who lost their partner because of a wrong diagnosis. It took ten years for her to get compensation and even then the doctor didn’t have to pay for it personally, the NHS did. Why do these things always happen when we’re away from home? I remember, even when I was a child, I was always sick on holiday. These days it’s the dog that usually has a medical emergency. When I was 17 I lived in Cornwall and I’ll always remember having to walk miles to see my doctor, being told I had a septic foot and having to walk miles back home again. I’m assuming he gave me antibiotics! My foots still there, anyway. I think I’ve got a fungal nail infection. I did mess around with my nail last night and it was a bit sore so I put some Ster Zac powder on it. It’s been in the medicine cabinet ever since I was given it when I had my first baby. I keep it for sentimental reasons but it seems to have helped! It probably contains something that is a banned substance now ( think I’ll consult Dr Google…). And I usually travel with Chloramphenicol eye cream because it’s antibiotic but pharmacists won’t sell it to you these days.

Hope all goes well Whitewavemark2, and that you don’t have to wait too long to been seen in the hospital.

I was told I had NF in my hip prior to surgery, and did know what it means. I t was terrifying ,

As for cellulitis had that too, twice. If you draw round the redness it is easier to see if it’s increased in size. If it has get some help. Fast.

Hope you get your toe sorted out today WW.

Toes are so incredibly sensitive, even the smallest blister can feel like a huge volcano, especially in the middle of the night. Hope you are able to get it seen to this morning and enjoy the last day of your holiday.

Meant to say also that pharmacists have been very helpful and sympathetic when dealing with friends of mine recently.
I think they will be glad when the training is in place so they can prescribe, though it will increase their workload.

Wishing you the best Whitewavemark2. Take a phone charger, book and something to hold around a paper cup in case you have a drink from the Truro A&E coffee machine, which dispenses horrendously hot drinks. I came back from there yesterday.

Best of luck Whitewave
I got a dog tooth into my arm when separating my young lab from a huge German shepherd - both on lead luckily but the gsd on one of the dangerous extendable. Scrap over in seconds but my dogs tooth caught me rather than the other dog.
Ver small tooth shaped injury. It was Saturday. My pharmacist sold anti sceptic cream and appropriate light covering. He said he thought anti biotic cream would be needed, to uses 111 if it went yellow and to see my GP Monday.
Monday, GP phoned, prescribed antibiotics aimed at skin infections. I saw my GP Friday for an appointment made 4 weeks earlier. She prescribed anti biotic cream for the wound.
I wish the pharmacist had been able to prescribe that saturday. I’m immune suppressed so infection more likelt

I have had antibiotics for skin infections lots of times. GPs sometimes prescribe them over the phone. I would be happier with a pharmacist who has actually seen it.
Triage nurses and junior doctors that you see in A&E are also not trained specifically in skin issues.
At my GP practice asthma reviews are now on the phone with a pharmacist. Pharmacists are also triaging requests for urgent appointments.
We have to trust that the NHS are employing suitable medically qualified staff to diagnose and prescribe appropriately.

How can they do an asthma review on the phone?

My surgery ask lots of questions and if I or they have any concerns they book an appointment with the asthma nurse at the surgery. Works very well for me, saves me trudging to the surgery to answer those same questions, but then my asthma is well controlled so there's never an issue.

I'd trust a pharmacist for diagnosing and treating minor injuries and illnesses, and also to triage patients and refer to a doctor for anything urgently dangerous.

Mizuna, the Truro A and E coffee machine makes me despair of human nature. Why has this present danger been allowed to happen in a hospital of all places!

MayBee70 they prescribed my husband a peak flow thingy so he recorded his readings, that, plus other questions over the phone as Mizuna said.

MayBee70

How can they do an asthma review on the phone?

I have had three asthma reviews over the phone. They ask about general health, weight, alcohol consumption, peak flow reading from that morning and a recent blood pressure reading (I had blood pressure taken at the gym the day before, once it reopened post Covid)

I expect to have it in person this summer as I have been on steroids on and off for the last 10 months.

Oops sorry crossed posts 🙋‍♀️

Pharmacists are taking over the role of nurses, nurses are taking over the role of doctors, doctors seem to have disappeared from my surgery. I just hope the pharmacists and nurses are getting the proper training and pay.

Caleo, add to that the fact that the coffee machine in the side entrance to the link corridor being full of ants... plus the card function not working on all but the A&E coffee machine... I had marvellous care in Treliske but will complain about the coffee machines. It may seem trivial but when you're a long stay patient ambling around with your visitor it's nice to be able to get a hot drink out of hours.

Our chemists have been pprescribing for a long time ,it wouldn't occur to me to go to a GP with an infected toe or indeed with what I assumed was my psoriasis spreading down my face.neck and chest last month.She checked it said it was psoriasis on my fae(its usually just my scalp and sometmes eybrows) but the neck and chest was ringworm ...caused apparently by my night sweats ? Who knew?
I was prescribed two creams for the ringworm one a steroid, a scalp serum and and a shampoo for the psoriasis ..
It was all put on my medical record IF it didn't do the trick the GP would know exactly what I'd used.I had a GP appointment on Monday for something ongoing and she said the pharmacist did exactly what she would have done .

Caleo

I'd trust a pharmacist for diagnosing and treating minor injuries and illnesses, and also to triage patients and refer to a doctor for anything urgently dangerous.

Yes, me too.
They undertake a five year course and are highly qualified in their field.

I hope you can see someone soon, Whitewave and get some reassurance and appropriate medication if needed.

For those who haven’t lost the will to live over the toe saga.

Antibiotics every 3 hours and wound dressed and feeling more comfortable😄.

Back at the cottage as it is in the mid 20s and very pleasant relaxing in the shade with a book.

Thank you for all you helpful advise and interest - but I promise I will not make such a fuss again.

Mizuna

Wishing you the best Whitewavemark2. Take a phone charger, book and something to hold around a paper cup in case you have a drink from the Truro A&E coffee machine, which dispenses horrendously hot drinks. I came back from there yesterday.

Ships that pass in the night😄😄.

Isn’t it hot!

And finally - I have duly eaten my words in the op and have mentally apologised to the pharmacist.