Llangennech Pharmacy

Usually a professional well organised pharmacy, however recent events have have given me reason to believe otherwise.

As we all know Coronavirus (COVID 19) is not taken lightly by anyone! Up until now the pharmacy has been following the guidelines, however on a recent cost much had changed. It seems that since my last visit, the staff there are now convinced the rules do not apply to them, furthermore according to one member of staff, they are exempt from the rules? Unlike my previous visits this year, they were now able to work in close proximity, with 5 people all working side by side, breaching the 2 metre rule? Face masks were not being utilised either? So naturally on this occasion I politely said ‘if it is okay, I won’t come in as none of you have are wearing a mask’, fuelled with attitude the man replied, ‘we are safe in here because you are wearing your mask’ and a lady cleaning the shelf’s replied ‘we are exempt in here’, what more it didn’t stop there, after placing my prescription in the basket at arms reach through the door, the women after 10 minutes opened the the door again, not to inform me the prescription was ready but to further argue her point about being exempt and suggest that I and another lady waiting outside ‘had a no right to question her and should keep our mouths shut!’ As the door closed I waited for her to join the others inside, who were by now almost shoulder to shoulder, I push the door open just enough to reminded her that when speaking to a patron and member of the community she should hold her tongue and be mindful of expressing her opinions in such a way, the door closed.

A few minutes later another women opened the door, this time wearing a mask? She said that as I was clearly alarmed by the issue of her and the others not wearing a mask she would place my medication in its bag on the dirty floor outside! She dropped the bag down to a dirty floor (a place dogs would go). I then informed her I was recovering from surgery and would struggle to pick up the bag, her reply was simply that she was deaf and didn’t hear what I had said, so could not help and with a sarcastic golem like grin stepped back inside and closed the door!

I would point out that I have contacted C.P. Wales and received this response;

We have contacted the pharmacy in question and raised the issue with them. They are aware of the legal requirement to wear a face covering at all times and where staff cannot, of the need to maintain a 2meter distance from one another. They have put measures in place to follow these requirements.

Kind Regards,

Kayleigh Williams
Associate Director Contractor Engagement
Cyfarwyddydd Cysylltiol Ymgysylltu Contractwyr

Whilst I feel it has been made crystal clear my all UK Governments and reiterated on many occasions since the pandemic began, we all know the rules by now.

Rules the pharmacy claimed to be exempt from.

1. Wearing a mask
2. Working in close proximity (with in 2 metres).
3. Being in close proximity with people numbering more than 4 from different households.

And I could argue the women who so rudely dropped my medication on the outside did not cover her nose with the mask, that would just be picky, nor did I witness her sanitise her hands.

I do not know why they felt they were exempt from these simple rules we all must follow at this time or when they decided this was the case? But given my reply from C.P. Wales I expect on my next visit the rules would now be followed according the the rules set out by Mr Johnson and the guidance set by the Welsh government.

When you consider the amount of people in the village that visit the pharmacy and who is most likely to need medication of some sort, a failure to follow simple guidelines places the pharmacy as a high risk zone for everyone. Please be sure to wear your mask and keep a safe distance where you can.

Stay safe.

Repeat prescription service works well, always ready on time

I have always been happy with the service they provide here. The staff has provided excellent service throughout the pandemic, But I can not say the same for the local surgery which has been disspointing during these difficult times.