Brand Russell Pharmacy & Barnet Travel Clinic

I can honestly say that visiting Brian at the Travel clinic has been a thoroughly enjoyable experience on each and every occasion. I hate needles, but I genuinely look forward to visiting the clinic! Brian is a kind and caring man who takes the time to explain everything you need to consider before embarking on your travels. The environment is relaxed, but professional and I have never felt pressured into buying anything. Each visit, I have been given all the relevant information I could possibly need and been allowed to decide for myself, in my own time how to proceed. I am about to set off on a year long trip around the world and after my last round of jabs, I felt sad not to have a reason to come back into the clinic. All of the other staff at the pharmacy are lovely and helpful too. This is the place to go for a friendly, fair and enjoyable service! Thank you!

Edit: I consider the owner's response to my request to be libellous. I agree that we should have zero tolerance to abuse. The owner's response implies that I was abusive.

1. I have worked within the NHS and in the private sector. One of my admin tasks was to implement a complaints procedure in a major teaching hospital. I probably know better than most how hospitals and other sectors of the NHS can benefit from listening to users. You are not listening.

2. Had you done some due diligence you would have seen that none of my writings on feedback to businesses has been rude or abusive; nor was my complaint; nor is my Edit now.

3. The accusation towards me is that I didn't wear a mask. I was having an asthma attack! Does that sound like I, an asthmatic in your business, would be abusive? I totally refute that preposterous idea, which incidentally, truly is abusive towards me! (And on taking advice, could be illegal.)

4. It may have been a couple of months since the incident, however, I have kept contemporaneous notes.

I am holding out the proverbial olive branch. I do hope you will accept.
Christine
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I wish I could discuss my experience with the owner of Brand Russell Pharmacy because the place used to be so good. If there is something wrong that we could put right I am willing for that.

I am in my seventies and have exercise-induced asthma. The staff always helped me to a seat so that my breathing could regularise.

On arrival at Brand Russell , while still out of breath, I was chivvied outside (Presumably because I was not wearing a mask.) The person, a female, had the air of a school leaver who now had some power; this she avalanched all over me. She told me I was not a customer of theirs. (I have been for several years) I insisted that I was and that this was a mistake. Her reaction? You are now BANNED from Brand Russell. No blood pressure tablets for me then! Further, Brand Russell informed my doctor that I was not to use them any more. (!!!)

Brand Russell was the pharmacy closest to my home. The walk used to do me good. It is now forbidden - by a 'school leaver'.

l tried to book a chickenpox vaccine for my child. CDC Guidelines and Barnet travel clinics own website clearly state that this vaccine can be administered ON THE SAME DAY or 4 WEEKS APART from the MMR vaccine. However I was refused an appointment either 4 weeks before or on the same day. The pharmacist did not know they guidelines clearly, and despite me pointing to CDC.GOV website and the pharmacy’s own website which clearly states the policy, 2 reception staff felt it acceptable to very rudely and persistently dish out incorrect medical advice (that it is not safe to do it on the same day or 4 weeks before). They also suggested that I have no medical knowledge, when in fact I am a doctor. I feel very sad for patients who cannot stand up for themselves. I have now booked at superdrug where the pharmacist knew immediately that there is no problem getting it on the same day or 4 weeks before. Therefore I no longer have confidence in this pharmacist’s knowledge or ability to look up guidelines before making decisions. Also his staff were rude, instead of being apologetic they had a frustrating “computer says no” attitude. When I pointed out that you cannot just make up your own medical guidelines I was told to go elsewhere and hung up on, this was completely unprofessional.

Well organised and easily accessible on at least 3 bus routes. COVID booster done on time and efficiently. BUT they didn't give me the little chitty as proof, which I've got from other vaccination centres. What shall I do if asked in travel or govt depts??

After being charged for a consultation, the pharmacy told me I require a letter from my Gp in order for them to give me a travel vaccine, my Gp do not give letters of this sort. The pharmacy should have asked me in the first instance who my Gp was so that they could have made me aware and I would have gone elsewhere before they charge me for a service they could not deliver. Other pharmacies have no issue .
In future and take this as constructive criticism you should make your clients aware of this before you charge them!

The whole experience was marred by the man who carried out the injection. He was cold and clinical with no Inter personal skills at all. My previous 2 vaccinations in finchley had been such a positive experience. The volunteers greeting people were on the other hand delightful.

Really lovely people and was so easy getting my vaccination however they don’t put plasters or anything over the place where they vaccinate you and as a result I got in the car and realised my t-shirt had a big red blood stain on it.

I’d really make sure you put a plaster on peoples arms once they have been jabbed to stop this from happening!

Also I really wanted a sticker saying I’ve been vaccinated but they don’t do them here... hence why I knocked off some starts (no I’m just kidding ;) )

Excellent service, I went for vaccination, I left with great experience, they explained to me what will happen before, during and after the vaccination, they were very friendly. Great pharmacy with a great team. Highly recommended it.