GP surgery pre-reg

[Ap0thecary]

Hi all,

I am compiling this thread to ask for any views, positive or negative, regarding working in a pharmacy that is attached to a GP surgery.

Views are welcome from anyone i.e. technicians, pre-regs, pharmacists; even customers if they use this site!

I am due to commence my pre-reg this July with Lloyds, (yes I have seen the thread regarding abysmal working conditions with Lloyds).

So what are peoples experience with a GP surgery? I was hoping a good augmentation to clinical knowledge; however I do not see much OTC requests?

PS. I was going to post this in the pre-reg section, however thought it might limit responses to those who only visit that section. I hope I have not conducted any erroneous forum etiquette?

Thank you for your reply in advance

[johnep]

My locum experience of working in such pharmacies was minimal contact with the Drs. None ever contacted the pharmacy or came in for a chat etc.
johnep

[Ap0thecary]

^ Thank you for your reply. Gosh, you would think that GPs would like to see people from the whole spectrum involved in their patients care.

I was anticipating lots of discussion with GPs regarding decisions to prescribing, as would happen in hospital. Maybe I have been dreaming too much

[hibernia]

I was anticipating lots of discussion with GPs regarding decisions to prescribing, as would happen in hospital. Maybe I have been dreaming too much

A community pharmacist usually only speaks to the GP AFTER the prescription has been written and often AFTER they have forgotten writing it. Most of the time we are telling them they have done something wrong and nobody likes to hear that. Has anybody ever rung a doctor to say "Your prescription for Mrs Smith complied with all legal requirements and is a model of prescribing to NICE guidelines. Well done."

[Gordon Mackenzie]

I found when working in hospital that you have a lot more contact with the doctors as you see them on the wards all the time. In retail pharmacies the contact with doctors hardly ever occurs.

[GAZ]

your contact with GP's may well be minimal BUT a lot of things will determine your contact with surgery staff - a good starting point is to see what sort of relationship exists at present between surgery & pharmacy - is the pharmacist/tutor somebody who has a good relationship with the surgery - receptionists, nurses, doctors? If the relationship isn't as good as you think it could be you would be wise (with approval of tutor) to introduce yourself to reception staff, nurses & practice manager - find out from pharmacy who are the more approachable doctor's at the practice - do they have a practice pharmacist - if so get introduced to them & go from there - if you do go down this path of showing your face to the surgery DO GET THE BACKING FROM YOUR MANAGER/LLOYDS....you'd hope that they could see the benefits to them of good PR?

[sparkybw]

your contact with GP's may well be minimal BUT a lot of things will determine your contact with surgery staff - a good starting point is to see what sort of relationship exists at present between surgery & pharmacy - is the pharmacist/tutor somebody who has a good relationship with the surgery - receptionists, nurses, doctors? If the relationship isn't as good as you think it could be you would be wise (with approval of tutor) to introduce yourself to reception staff, nurses & practice manager - find out from pharmacy who are the more approachable doctor's at the practice - do they have a practice pharmacist - if so get introduced to them & go from there - if you do go down this path of showing your face to the surgery DO GET THE BACKING FROM YOUR MANAGER/LLOYDS....you'd hope that they could see the benefits to them of good PR?

Wow, just wow!

So, if I go back to work at Asda in the pharmacy, I will have to get permission from the pharmacy manager and contact Asda HQ in Leeds before I say 'hi' to the checkout girls or have a gossip with my best friend and mother of my Godson who is currently stacking shelves there?

Wow!

Presumably there is a triple copy form to fill in before opening the door for a member of the GP staff when you start work on a morning?

[GAZ]

please don't misinterpret my intentions on this sparkybw - all i'm trying to put across is as a pre-reg you'll have a contract of employment and will be seen as a member of paid staff so don't think you can go swanning off to sit in with nurses/gp's/practice meetings every 5 minutes - that's where you have to give consideration to your employers & fellow staff

[Ap0thecary]

Wow, just wow!

So, if I go back to work at Asda in the pharmacy, I will have to get permission from the pharmacy manager and contact Asda HQ in Leeds before I say 'hi' to the checkout girls or have a gossip with my best friend and mother of my Godson who is currently stacking shelves there?

Wow!

Presumably there is a triple copy form to fill in before opening the door for a member of the GP staff when you start work on a morning?

Lol! When people write lol, it usually means they had the most minimalist smile, however your post did actually make me chuckle.

Your post is sophistic. I feel GAZ meant out of courtesy rather than implying some imaginary application procedure that requires approval from head office.

Unless of course, I have missed your sarcasm

[Ap0thecary]

Further to this post, what are peoples perception on, the amount of OTC requests?