Comfort is a female pharmacist independent prescriber working for a Primary Care Network (PCN) in London. She is from a very conventional, Nigerian Christian background. Medically examining a male (even with a chaperone) is against her religious and cultural values.
Peter, a 45-year-old white English working class male, has booked himself in for an examination for itching and irritation in the groin area. He is booked in for this morning. Comfort is one of ten pharmacists working for this PCN but today she is the only prescriber available since it is holiday season. Peter has now waited to be seen for over two weeks and has already complained to the manager about the ‘unreasonable’ delay.
Comfort made her position clear when she took on the role at the PCN, and this was accepted. However, the practice manager is under increasing pressure to avoid any further negative reviews or complaints and has asked Comfort to make an exception on this occasion.
Comfort also feels pressurised as there have been several complaints about her ‘racist’ attitude in recent months. This has caused her much distress because she does not agree she is racist at all – rather she is driven by her religion and culture.
Should she examine Peter today and if appropriate prescribe? Or should she explain her predicament and ‘signpost’ him to an alternative provider?
Comfort must think quickly because Peter has entered the practice and is impatiently waiting to be seen.” (https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/thrush-in-men-and-women/)
What should she do?