"Pharmacy consultation"

I had a deeply concerning and disappointing experience with the pharmacy consultation service. I believe the pharmacist lacked the necessary knowledge to provide an accurate diagnosis and, disturbingly, did not consider my medical history at all. The consultation took place in a filthy, non-sterile box room which I don't think should ever be deemed appropriate for any form of patient interaction.

On another occasion, I called the surgery and explained the severity of my situation, emphasizing that I had suffered severe complications in the past and needed to see a doctor for proper treatment. Despite this, I feel the member of staff I spoke to ignored my concerns, hastily went through some questions, and declared that the pharmacist would be the right person to see. Essentially, I was diagnosed by a member of staff on reception over the phone, which is alarming.

When I visited the pharmacy, I was ushered into a cramped, poorly maintained storage room where the pharmacist, who didn’t even introduce themself, made no effort to listen to my medical history. Instead, they rudely asked me to open my mouth so they could inspect my throat using their mobile phone – no proper medical equipment was available. They then prescribed antibiotics that I know from experience do not work for me, claiming they were the only option.

I found this whole experience frightening, unsanitary, and wholly unprofessional. I don't think pharmacists should be acting as doctors, especially when they have no appropriate qualifications or the right facilities to provide proper care.