A DEDICATED pensioner who called a chemist 59 times in one day attempting to get vital medication is hoping to make it sixtieth time lucky.
Leslie Mason, 68, fears his partner Tracey Brewster could die if starved of the insulin pens she needs to treat her Type 1 diabetes.
The Wivenhoe resident has been left “absolutely boiling” as his attempts to make contact with the town’s Boots chemist have been met with radio silence… all 59 of them.
A Boots spokeswoman told the Gazette the firm wants to apologise to patients impacted by disruption.
But Mr Mason, who lives in Stanley Road and doesn’t drive, is now planning to make the one mile round walk to the shop in Vine Drive to confront the staff about what is – or isn’t – going on.
“We don’t even know if the prescription is going to be there,” said Mr Mason. “My wife is supposed to be getting texts from Boots to confirm it’s ready but she never gets them.
“It would be nice to have some sort of communication and it not be pot luck on whether I get it or not.”
A psychic by trade, Mr Mason says he fears Ms Brewster, 55, could die if she suffered a diabetic episode but didn’t have an insulin pen to hand.
He added: “If something serious happened and my missus needed those pens I would hold that chemist responsible.
“I’m absolutely boiling and frustrated, but I’m particularly angry and simply being ignored. The phone rung and rung and rung, sometimes it’s engaged, sometimes it’s not.
“I know they’re understaffed but this is really important to us and it could be dangerous.
The Boots spokeswoman stated the situation is improving at its Wivenhoe shop following issues with resources.
She said: “Like other pharmacies, we are experiencing some challenges with pharmacist resource.
“Our teams are working hard to keep stores open, minimise disruption for customers and provide the best possible service.
“The situation is now improving in our Colchester Wivenhoe store and we apologise to patients who have been impacted.
“In this case, we will reach out to the patient to offer delivery of medication to their home.”
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