This topic is about the challenges faced by someone in a small Scottish town when trying to get their ostomy supplies from local pharmacies. After their independent pharmacy was taken over by Lloyds, they experienced significant delays in receiving essential supplies, which caused anxiety and frustration. They sought advice on how to manage this situation and explore alternative ways to get their supplies.

Here are some helpful suggestions and insights:

1. Consider using home-delivery specialists like Charter Healthcare, Fittleworth, Pelican Healthcare, and Amcare. These companies can collect prescriptions directly from your GP, customize supplies if needed, and deliver them by post or courier. Delivery usually takes 7–10 days, with options for emergency next-day delivery.

2. If your supplies are running low, request samples from these companies to cover any gaps until your full order arrives.

3. If you prefer to stay with Lloyds, you might try their home-delivery and GP-collection service, though some have reported issues with its reliability.

4. To avoid running out, order your supplies well in advance to build up a buffer of several weeks' worth of spares at home.

5. Switching to another pharmacy, like Boots, might be a good option. Boots has been known to fill prescriptions quickly, often within 24 hours, and they provide text alerts when your items are ready for pickup.

6. If you have a good local chemist, see if they can keep a stock of your pouches and have staff trained in ostomy care. They might also offer annual reviews and direct contact numbers for assistance.

7. If delays persist, it might be worth checking if the issue is with your GP surgery when issuing prescriptions.

These suggestions aim to help manage and improve the process of receiving ostomy supplies, reducing stress and ensuring you have what you need when you need it.