Manning Pharmacy

3 attempts to pick up urgent pain medication.........

Attempt 1. Not in stock. Fair enough, a small pharmacy cannot be expected to carry everything.

Attempt 2. Following morning. In stock but no pharmacist so cannot be dispensed. Irritating especially when in pain. Assistant explains he's on his way.
Again fair enough, we've all been stuck in traffic, had issues with kids, whatever. Unfortunate coincidence but three things happen.

Attempt 3. Approx 13.15 the following day. I walk down although difficult (pain killers for severe back injury, first attempt where I can't get a lift, but pain of walking easier to fight through waiting for another day)
Shutters down. Lights on. Staff on sight. Opening hours sign claims 9am to 6pm.
Maybe pharmacist has emergency, unforeseen circumstances etc. horrid but it happens. So I phone them.
I'm informed not open again until 14.15. (Notice shutters down but phone answered) I say if customers are waiting on meds, it would be helpful if they informed when they can or can't be collected. I was still prepared to accept an explanation of one off troubling circumstances. But I was told "all our regular customers know we shut for lunch" So this happens everyday, but you only know if you use them regularly!
I don't even use my gp regularly, if I do its usually urgent.
I am physically incapable of standing waiting for an hour so had to hobble home.

Attempt 4- to be arranged. Without the prescribed meds it is unlikely I can walk there again, let alone back. But they have now taken the description and given me an iou, so I have no choice but to wait in agony.
A warning of closed for lunch, or even the obvious and polite "we can't do it now, do you want iou or the prescription back?" Would have saved me 24 (and rising) hours of agony. Not to mention how much it has reduced my ability to care for my children.

Shame to see some of the negative reviews here but personally I think this is an excellent Pharmacy with friendly staff, good location and well stocked. I always call before heading to the pharmacy to check my prescription is ready and they always answer. Mr Kassam is always very helpful when you need advice and saves so many people having to see a GP. So much better than the soulless, non-personal service you get from supermarket pharmacies.

My first 2 ever experiences of using this pharmacist. Buried my son in November so got prescribed anti depressants etc, went to pick them up from here only to find them in my teenage son's name?? 2nd time I went in for my meds, I was given a ladies medication in a completely different name... I'm seriously worried but it's the closer pharmacy. UPDATE - After submitting my partners medical records proving this pharmacy has made a colossal mistake, they ban me from the pharmacy. This leaves my sick partner in a very bad position. Reported to the Health advisory services.

Phones off the hook most times. Phoned yesterday and after finally getting through got put on hold and then cut off. Phoned again lady who answered could spell my name even though I repeated the spelling many times. She then put the phone down on me stating she could hear as it was too noisy Phoned again got through they said they couldn’t find it. After another search found it and would have it ready. Got there for 9am when it states it would open. Didn’t open until 9.06. No social distancing at all in place. Husband felt very vulnerable when he went in. Shame as it’s a pharmacy Need to get this pharmacy sorted.

Been standing here since 8.50am 9.04am still not open. Ladies standing inside talking knowing theres people standing outside waiting. Terrible. It would get a three star for previous years but gone down Hill. Hoping they're better next year.

Rude.
My daughter had to pick up a prescription for me because I have Covid. She felt very intimidated by the staff and they were very rude. I have a prepaid prescription certificate but they didn’t believe her so demanded to talk to me on the phone. Apparently their system isn’t up to date because one quick check on the website and my certificate is very much valid. I’ll be changing pharmacy now. Very polite on the phone but not so polite to a 16 year old in school uniform.

I have been using this phamarcy since 2003. The staff is always polite, very helpful and discreet when necessary. The chemist is really helpful, he's always got a kind word and remembers people
Everytime I've had to have a private consultation he has bern spot on, helpful and reassuring.

I feel I need make this pharmacy some justice by sharing that I had my prescription delivered to them and by the time I went to pick up it was ready for me and I was very well treated by the staff.