Support Your Local Pharmacy

My ankle is so much better- thank you for all the good wishes! A number of people asked for photos of the bite. NO!! It was nasty on Friday, more ugly on Saturday, better now. I know that many of you read my blog after breakfast, or in your coffee break, and I do not wish to make you feel ill.
But Kezzie said she was never sure when to seek medical help regarding a bite. Check out this page on the NHS website

But with most minor medical queries, I pop up to my local pharmacists. They are great!
They treat customers with respect, and patience, and offer helpful advice.
They are open long hours, and provide seating for the elderly and infirm, and always apologise if you have to wait more than a few minutes.
On Saturday, Bob went in before lunch to buy the Anthisan cream - and the assistant said there had been quite a few customers who'd been troubled by biting insects.
When we went back at 2pm, the immediate advice was to ring 111. The hospital confirmed all the pharmacist had diagnosed [cellulitis and infection] and now I am well on the way to full recovery.

Our NHS is stretched to the limits at the moment, our GPs surgeries are busy [and these things so often happen over a Bank Holiday weekend, or in the evenings...] Being able to ring 111 and say 'my pharmacist says...' was a help to the operator on the other end, and a reassurance for me.

For minor health problems, this is my first stop.
For simple first aid requisites, this is my first stop
For my regular prescription medicines [statins etc] this is my first stop.
I believe it is vital for me to support my local pharmacy.
You see, it isn't just about me.
My pharmacy serves the whole community.
They dispense and deliver medicines to many of the OAPs that I know, free of charge.
They help the young parents, anxious about sick children.
They have a good relationship with my GP's practice, and can sort out any problems with prescriptions.
They are available when the surgery is shut, and maybe it is not quite serious enough for A&E.
I know that lots of people these days get their repeat prescriptions from some anonymous, free, online service. It seems easier, just click the mouse...
BUT if everybody did that, the Local Pharmacist would go out of business. 
...And then they wouldn't be there to advise on my bite, or OAP Jim's pills, or the baby's colic. The National Pharmacy is rightly concerned about government policies which may cause pharmacies to close [see here] So please...