Allison Sweeney
Trainee Dispensing Assistant – Regent Pharmacy
Where do I start, May 1998 I met a lovely lady called Pam Penfold and we worked together for nearly 3 years. Although our working careers took different paths we stayed in touch mainly by Pam sending me Christmas cards and Birthday cards and me turning up two or three weeks later with a card a bunch of flowers and a quick coffee in a local coffee shop. Earlier this year I mentioned that I had lost my way as far as my working life was concerned. She mentioned that there was the possibility of a position at Regent Pharmacy and that I should speak to Sunil Kochhar owner and pharmacist.
Consequently, I started work in the Pharmacy on Windmill Street in June this year. Working in the Pharmacy is a combination of working in an office, retail store, and medical advice centre. Office and retail I have done before, medical advice…… that’s where I find myself nervously drawing on life’s experience as a mother of three and reading countless chat magazines and agony aunt pages and of course asking the professionals Sunil, Nadine (our pharmacy technician) and Manjeet (our second pharmacist) who seem to know the answer to every aliment under the sun.
Two weeks in I was crying on the phone to my son about `my poor feet`. Eight hours a day, five days a week, and I am sure if I wore a pedometer over 1000 miles a month, they were screaming, PLEASE STOP STANDING ON ME.
Little did I know that was not the worst thing going on with my health and wellbeing.
Just over a year ago I had major, although not life threatening, surgery. I settled into my hospital bed and a lovely nurse was taking my observations . Temperature, pulse, and blood pressure. When she got to the BP part her mouth dropped open and she rushed off, ‘Just need to speak to the anaesthetist’
I was told my blood pressure was so high they may not do the op. An ECG was carried out and they decided my heart rate was a nice steady pace and relaxed and agreed to go ahead and operate. When I questioned my BP they suggested that it was ‘White Coat Syndrome’!!
A year on and having had my blood pressure taken on a few occasions always the same scenario……..Same result same response ‘White coat Syndrome’
When I joined Sunil at Regent Pharmacy he suggested I had an NHS Health Check….Although I kept hearing ‘White Coat Syndrome’ I knew that having my BP taken at the pharmacy the reading wouldn’t be any different….. I had a feeling the outcome wouldn’t change.
Sunil is always open to taking on new young members of staff and giving them the opportunity to learn. My blood pressure was being taken every other day and the results were always high, so off to the doctors I was sent by Sunil. He was concerned and insisted that this be looked at again by my GP.
Would you believe my doctor, who I have known for many years, said he didn’t think my reading was much to worry about but suggested I wear a BP monitor for 24 hours. Dutifully I called back on Monday morning (luckily I was off work) and picked up a shoulder bag BP monitor. I will admit it wasn’t a great 24 hours but nothing that would make a lasting impression except the results…
My average BP was 155/105 with some reading as high as 230/130 so yes I have high blood pressure.
Prescribed Amlodipine 5mg, if that’s how its spelt, I was sent on my way as many of us are everyday. Luckily having Sunil monitoring what’s going on, he is able to carry out a New Medicine Review (NMR) and report back to my doctor how my meds are working.
A lot of you might think that is really convenient for me as I work there, but if I was to say to you, Sunil, and the team, are ready and available for everyone every minute 6 days a week 9 hours a day and a 1000 miles walk every month….you just need to call in and check your eligibility for an NHS health check. Even if not eligible, advice is given and the service is also available privately.
Readings have been encouraging during my NMS consultations, but not quiet there yet.
I am back at the doctors next month and I will let you all know how I get on.
