Just a simply thing really.
I consulted a pharmacist today because a blister on my foot had become very sore and inflamed and I wondered if it was infected.
Pharmacist told me that indeed it was and should not leave it until after the weekend, as it didn’t look very good at all - I am on holiday - she said I needed antibiotic and what a shame that she could not prescribe it yet - but the government is planning to allow pharmacist to prescribe antibiotics soon.
I then had to go to the local hospital with a drop in minor injury centre. The triage nurse said immediately - no not infected, but leave off the dressing and let it dry - she asked another clinician who said the same. It is already beginning to look better.
So - if said pharmacist had the ability to prescribe antibiotics, I would have taken them needlessly and it would not have done the trick anyway.
Makes you think.
...apologies for the gobblydegook sentences - which if read quickly, might make sense...
Lying in a hospital bed one day the hospital pharmacy were checking everyone's medications - as they do.
When she checked mine - after reading my notes - she told me that she thought my long-acting opiates might not be giving me the full benefit of pain relief.
This was quite astounding, because my medical history is long and complex, but she understood that the recent surgery I'd had might be preventing the absorption of the medication... she said that I might be being 'short-changed'.
She took the matter up with my consultant who confirmed that she was correct - I was being short-changed because the surgery had removed part of the intestine she the absorption should take place.
... that take some knowledge and understanding, which this pharmacist obviously had.
I was very impressed - as was the consultant.
Well done the pharmacist 👏👏 and pleased to hear you are now all set up
Keep an eye on it and hopefully it will continue to improve
PamelaJ1
Whitewavemark2
And finally - I have duly eaten my words in the op and have mentally apologised to the pharmacist.
So does this mean that pharmacist’s are more qualified than the medics? 🤦🏼♀️ life can be very complicated.
💐
No, just differently qualified.
When I found out my regular hospital review, conducted by phone since Covid, was with a pharmacist and not with the Consultant or even a junior doctor, I asked why and the Consultant assured me the pharmacists were valued members of his team and probably knew more about the effects of medication on the body than he does.
Our local pharmacist told my daughter that she needed antibiotics for an infected finger. Four days later, 2 urgent care and 1 A&E visit plus (finally) a GP visit she got them. Her finger was by now going black. I was hoping that this news would mean that in the future she wouldn’t have suffered severe pain and a week off work. It seems not.
Whitewavemark2
And finally - I have duly eaten my words in the op and have mentally apologised to the pharmacist.
So does this mean that pharmacist’s are more qualified than the medics? 🤦🏼♀️ life can be very complicated.
💐
Whitewavemark2
And finally - I have duly eaten my words in the op and have mentally apologised to the pharmacist.
😁
Hope it soon gets better.
Enjoy the rest of your holiday!
I'm in the shade in the garden and about to read a book after a carch--up on GN
(I was busy gardening this morning, it's too warm for strenuous efforts here now .)
😄😄 honestly so embarrassing!! But thank you all. And May your toes continue to be healthy.
Wishing your toe a speedy recovery Whitewavemark2
Better news Whitewavemark2 I hope it heals quickly, enjoy today and safe journey home. Toe saga has a happy ending 🙂
Good news. Hope the toe heals soon and that it hasn’t spoiled your holiday too much.
And finally - I have duly eaten my words in the op and have mentally apologised to the pharmacist.
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!
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.
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.
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, 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.
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.
Oops sorry crossed posts 🙋♀️
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.
MayBee70 they prescribed my husband a peak flow thingy so he recorded his readings, that, plus other questions over the phone as Mizuna said.
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!
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.
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.
How can they do an asthma review on the phone?
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