A Chemist a Day keeps the Doctor away (Lloydspharmacy)

Member Name: arnoldhenryrufus

Product:	Lloydspharmacy
Date:	21/02/06 (2033 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: local, take care of all your health needs, friendly service, delivery service

Disadvantages: Can be a bit pricey so look out for the special offers

In the last couple of months due to my ill health I have come to know my local chemists very well indeed and had to make use of their services. You know the one, they are usually situated in the local high street, or more likely these days they are attached to your local medical centre.

Now, as I have just stated it is only recently that I have got to know it well, previously like many others it was just a chemist shop, it sold toiletries, make-up, medicines over the counter and you went there to get your prescription. If you didn't need any of these services then you never really bothered with it, now be honest you don't do you? So you can see why I am pleasantly surprised by all the services they offer, I had no idea they did so much. Ahhh I hear you say, you haven't told us what they do yet, ooops sorry its old age setting in, well stay with me for a little while and I will try and cover some of the things they do.

There is so much that they do, it is hard to find a place to start. I know what we can start with: -

~~ The Shop ~~

You will know the shop by its large green and white sign saying Lloydspharmacy across it and there logo of a mortar and pestle.

You step inside, and you see a wonderful clean building, with gift ideas on display (well it is Christmas), you will see the counter, with the pharmacist just behind it, now the pharmacist is no longer hidden away in a back room, they are there to see in full view, there is a partition between the counter and the pharmacist but it is low enough for you to see over the top and see them at work.

There are chairs for you to rest whilst you are waiting, you will see displays of perfumes and makeup, there are displays of over the counter medicines, vitamins and gadgets (which we will cover a bit more later) to help you with a healthier lifestyle.

~~ The Pharmacist ~~

A very experienced and qualified person here, they are very friendly people, did you know that they are approachable, that they are no longer a person stuck in the back room that never comes out to speak to you. Did you know that now you have someone that can give you advice that the doctor never has time for, they can talk to you about the medication your doctor has put you on, they can help squash all those fears you have, that you were too scared to bother your doctor with. Yes they have time for you, they offer a service to you where they will give you advice on what medicines are available on or off prescription. Sometimes you don't like to bother your doctor, this I can well understand, I hate going to doctors, which is why I ended up so ill, before I was diagnosed. Sorry, I digressed again. Whatever your medical query whether it be for a cough or a rash, if you don't feel you want to see your doctor, the pharmacist will give you time to listen and offer you helpful advice, on what is available without prescription and advise you to see the doctor if necessary. There is a private consultation area for these discussions with your pharmacist.

They also keep a patient record of your prescriptions which if you are like me is great, I now take so many different medications that my kitchen is starting to look like a dispensary. I forever loose bits of paper and can never remember all the different medicines I have. But I could phone up my local Lloydspharmacy give them my details saying I need a repeat prescription for my inhaler but I cannot remember which one it is, they could look me up on their system and tell me, not only that they would even arrange the repeat prescription for me. Now, this will normally take two days to go through the system of them getting the prescription off your doctor and getting the medication set up.

As they keep a record of all your medication and the times you have had your prescriptions if it is an emergency they will supply you and then sort out the prescription with your doctor later - note this is emergencies only.

Now the next best thing is they will even deliver your prescriptions to your door for you, so you don't even have to go out in the cold to get them. This is a fantastic service for the house bound and for others with mobility and transport problems.

As you are aware, all medicines these days come in the child resistant containers, did you know that you can request them to be dispensed in a normal container without the child resistant lids, this is decidedly useful if you suffer with arthritis and have difficulty opening them.

The pharmacist will also make sure old and unused medicines are disposed of safely, as you are aware it is not safe to just throw old tablets and medicines away at home.

The pharmacy also goes out and about taking the pharmacy into your local Nursing and Residential homes in the area, where they deliver the medicines and off advice on the use, storage and disposing of the medicines in a same manner. They also offer training for care staff on the safe use of medicines. They also keep medication records and can supply a monitored dosage system that helps ensure the medicines are taken at the correct time.

~~ Stockings and support tights ~~

They are able to supply all types of surgical stockings, trusses and support tights. If required they can arrange for these items to be made to measure for a more comfortable fit.

~~ Nebulisers ~~

A Nebuliser is a small plastic container, which is filled with medicine, then a compressor is used to pump oxygen through the medicine creating a fine mist into your mouth and into your lungs. This is used to help asthma suffers.

Lloydspharmacy offer - a Nebuliser repair service, full Nebuliser servicing which includes the loan of another unit, Nebuliser rental and a full demonstration on how to use your Nebuliser.

~~ Special dietary requirements ~~
They stock a wide range of vitamins and minerals, gluten-free and other special dietary foods and medicines. A lot of Gluten-free products are still available on prescription. When my daughter was a baby she was very ill and had to go on a Gluten-free diet until she was 3yrs old, this was nearly 20yrs ago now and in those days you had to get most of her food via prescription, special dietary products are a lot more readily available these days and you can buy them over the counter.

~~ Other Services ~~

A wide range of Ostomoy' and incontinence products and a full range of first aid equipment.

Travel and Holiday advice - not matter where you are visiting there service is there to offer you advice on sun shields, vaccinations, sickness tablets etc.

Emergency Contraception - available here if you got a bit carried away last night - oops.

Pregnancy Tests and Ovulation kits - a range of home testing kits for ovulation and pregnancy confirmation. The pharmacist also offers a confidential pregnancy testing service. Just ask at your local Lloydspharmacy for more details.

Labour TeNS rental - Transcutaneous Electrical Never Stimulation - an alternative form of pain relief, which allows the expectant mother to control the pain caused by labour contractions.

Free Blood Sugar Testing - check you levels it is important for diabetes.
Free Blood Pressure Testing

No Smoking Clinic - This is another service they have to offer you start by making an appointment to see the pharmacist, she/he will go talk to you about your smoking habits and offer you on prescription patches, inhalators or gum, she/he will discuss which products are best for you. You will also go through a list of questions to help the pharmacist help you choose the right medication to suit your needs. You will also have to breathe into a little box which will give the Carbon Monoxide in your lungs. When I first went here mine read 20 it now reads 2 after 3 weeks of giving up, it is at 2 because I am still a passive smoker as my hubby still smokes around me.

~~ And there's more! ~~

You would think this was enough, but I have not finished yet, Lloydspharmacy also produce a free catalogue covering a range of their own products to promote independent living for everyone, these can be bought in the shop or the shop will order the products for you, there is also a website - www.lloydspharmacy.com where you can also order products from.
So what can you get from the brochure and the internet -

The brochure and the internet are broken up into sections - covering: Around your home, where you can buy kitchen aids, e.g. special tap turners, mugs, kettle supports, special plates and cutlery to making eating easier. Trolley's, Reachers and Raisers to make getting to around the home and getting into those awkward places easier, and lets not forget commodes and specialist stools and chairs for your comfort. No room is forgotten, there are aids to help you in the bedroom, bathroom, shower and toilet, whatever your mobility problem, there is a helpful solution in here, making life a lot easier and more comfortable,

Keeping mobile - mobility aids including Walking sticks, walkers, wheelchairs, scooters and accessories.

Baby care - TeNS rental service, post natal care, baby accessories and equipment and BT baby monitors.

Personal Care - Pain Management - a selection of products for drug free pain management. Suitable for 'localised' pain including arthritis, sciatica, osteoporosis, period, pregnancy and labour pains. (Currently they offer a 60 day buy and try on certain products, basically if it does not ease your back pain within the 60 days, send it back with your receipt and get your money back).

Also in this section you have every thing you need for continence care, from pads to bedding.
Asthma and Emphysema - various Nebulisers to choose from.
Blood Pressure Monitoring - many choices of kits for your perusal - I have one of their blood Pressure kits which I am very impressed with (maybe a new review coming soon).
Diabetes - once again a good choice of products here, I have one of these kits as well, due to having to check my sugar levels on a regular basis.
Weight Management - well here there is pedometer to measure your steps, I may get one of these again, used to have one a few years ago, but I have to loose a lot of weight, so may have to invest again. Hand held Body Fat Monitor, bathroom scales, plus a digital Body Fat Scales ( I have one of these, they are really good, measure your weight, body fat etc, - a review shortly if I can get Ciao to except it).
Pill Boxes - for people like me that have started to rattle, so you can organise your medication and not forget it.
Thermometers - up to date modern equipment for taking temperatures
First Aid Kits - a must for cars, homes, caravans etc
Cast Protectors, Copper Therapy with bangles and bracelets (very pretty), Magnetic and Copper Bracelets (some lovely designs), Magnetic supports, Thermal supports, sports supports, neck supports, back supports and hip protectors.

Whew, well I think we have covered everything. Are you as surprised as I was that you got all this from your little local pharmacy - which really is not so little.

One thing I have not mentioned is the prices of the products, in my opinion they are quite pricey, but when they are on offer they are great, I have managed to get some good bargains, my blood pressure kit was reduced from £34.99 - £9.99 and my Digital Body Fat Scales were reduced from £44.99 - £14.99. So it does pay to visit your local Lloydspharmacy to look out for the bargains.

Well thanks for reading - best wishes to you all - lyn x

Summary: brilliant door to door service, not waiting at the doctors for simple things -