Lloyds Pharmacy North Cross Road

[blueblazes]

I am one of the patients that has been affected by the staffing difficulties at this branch.

I am very interested to hear of other patients who have been affected.

I was advised to contact their HQ by my practice. A friend of mine was today advised to 'pop a note' into the branch door stating his query.

I have asked my practice if they shouldn't be doing more to ensure their patients are getting their needed medications.

Please let me know if you have been impacted?

[smooch]

I get my repeat prescriptions from here - they are obv very busy but they have never failed to have my prescription ready - previous delays were due to my medical practice. So far I have nothing but praise for them

[Sue]

You can get your medication online from Lloyds Direct (it used to be called Echo).

I don't know if this only works for repeat prescriptions, but it's quick and easy once it's been set up.

They remind you when you are running out, you order it online, they clear the prescription with your GP and send it out tracked.

ETA: If you have several different medications running out at various times, which I do, you just select the ones you need (I always allow several weeks in advance just in case).

The online customer service is quick and efficient, as well, should you have a query.

Despite local postal delivery issues, I've always received mine very quickly. It's sent tracked (free delivery).

I originally started it when I was shielding, but have continued because it's so much more convenient than queuing at the pharmacy.

[OutOfFocus]

Sue - presumably that won't help if GP has already sent prescription to Ll and they are sitting on it.

Might try it for next time.

I plan to complain to Healthwatch. Feel they may have more clout.

[blueblazes]

When a pharmacy fails NHS patients, (be it closing for lack of trained staff, or 'losing' prescriptions)they are 'in breach' of their contracts to the NHS.

My GP practise have not been pro-active in what appears to be a continuing problem.

The regulator - the General Pharmaceutical Council, only have powers over individual pharmacists (though they can close a pharmacy - temporarily - that is failing for some reason)

It is likely telling that the prescription bags have been carrying a farewell message to a pharmacist and the branch manager.

[TreacleRabbit]

They?ve had locum pharmacists in due to lack of staff, which has caused delays for medication we were collecting. We did get it eventually after lot of calling and queuing.

[headphonauts]

Certainly the team at Lloyds repeatedly seem very confused and unclear on why they don't have my prescription... was instructive to hear someone else have the same discussion with them as I had (whilst queuing for the third time in a day only to leave empty-handed). Unclear to me whether the problem lies with Lloyds or with my GP; they both blame each other. But definitely time to try another pharmacy.

[Lynne]

It's taken 5 visits back and forth from DMC to Lloyds to get my repeat prescription and I still haven't got everything as two items had mysteriously disappeared from list. Contradictory answers,told I didn't inform them at the doctors (I did). It's worrying when you need the things.As headphonauts says, it's difficult to know who's responsible, the GP or the pharmacy

[Sue]

As posted above, I highly recommend Lloyds Direct. It saves all this hassle!

[Spartacus]

They seem to have gone downhill again. 

Electronic prescription sent in 10 days ago, popped in mid week last week to be told "not done yet" come back later and it will be ready

Popped in again Saturday and discovered that the prescription had been put to one side and not even started. When the locum for the day managed to get it sorted some items weren't in stock so come back Monday.

Regular pharmacist back today (Monday) and no record of what was missing as they lost the note from Saturday, they then gave abuse concerning why I didn't have a note to say what was missing, very upsetting and shocking behaviour by the pharmacist. 

Guess I'm voting with my feet but where to go ? 

[Sue]

2 hours ago, Spartacus said:

They seem to have gone downhill again. 

Electronic prescription sent in 10 days ago, popped in mid week last week to be told "not done yet" come back later and it will be ready

Popped in again Saturday and discovered that the prescription had been put to one side and not even started. When the locum for the day managed to get it sorted some items weren't in stock so come back Monday.

Regular pharmacist back today (Monday) and no record of what was missing as they lost the note from Saturday, they then gave abuse concerning why I didn't have a note to say what was missing, very upsetting and shocking behaviour by the pharmacist. 

Guess I'm voting with my feet but where to go ? 

I suggest again Lloyds Direct, as I haven't been over impressed with other local pharmacies I have tried  ...

Two posters outside Lloyds  with rather different messages.

Laugh or cry ? 😂😭

Edited October 16, 2023 by Sue
Clarification

[Lynne]

They've twice printed out my prescriptions for me because they weren't in stock  and I took them to Sogim who did them straight away

[Guest]

Been using Krystals for 13+ years, as Day Lewis on Forest Hill Road are utterly hopeless and Fosters had in the past always had to order items. 

[Sue]

Apparently Lloyds Direct are now merged (?) with Pharmacy2U

[tiddles]

Oh gosh - I waited a good 10 mins for a repeat prescription this morning whilst the 2 pharmacists were busy discussing cars…. Had to call to them that there was a queue waiting to be served… doesn’t bode well. 

Edited October 17, 2023 by tiddles
Spelling