Mother, 36, recovering from surgery to reattach her nose after a horrific dog attack is left in tears after pharmacy staff refuse to serve her for not wearing a face mask

  • Catts Pharmacy Snodland in Kent refused to serve mother Shereen Mawson
  • She is unable to wear a mask while recovering from surgery to reattach her nose
  • The dog attack left  her with her cartilage hanging out, broken and protruding

A mother was left in tears when pharmacy staff would not serve her while she was trying to get painkillers after surgery to reattach her nose.

Shereen Mawson said an employee at her local Catts Pharmacy Snodland, Kent, which is run by Paydens, shouted at her for not wearing a face mask. 

But it is too painful for the 36-year-old to wear a mask after a dog attack left her with the cartilage from her nose hanging off and extremely painful injuries to her face.

It is too painful for Shereen Mawson (pictured with stitches) to wear a mask after surgery to reattach her nose

It is too painful for Shereen Mawson (pictured with stitches) to wear a mask after surgery to reattach her nose 

A dog attack that happened two weeks left her with her cartilage hanging out, broken and protruding

A dog attack that happened two weeks left her with her cartilage hanging out, broken and protruding

Miss Mawson said she tried to explain why she was exempt from wearing a face mask but the employee would not listen. 

She said: 'My stitches are so visible and she was just so rude I couldn't believe it.

'She went to her manager and he also refused to let me in but he didn't even come and see me.

'Then the member of staff said she could serve me outside and I said: "Okay that's absolutely fine".

'When she found out I was paying by card she then refused me again and at that point I became so overwhelmed I literally bawled my eyes out.

'I was in tears and ended up having a panic attack outside because I was so embarrassed.'  

Catts Pharmacy Snodland, Kent, which is run by Paydens, (pictured) deny allegations that staff were rude to Miss Mawson

Catts Pharmacy Snodland, Kent, which is run by Paydens, (pictured) deny allegations that staff were rude to Miss Mawson 

Thankfully a different nearby pharmacy agreed to serve her and she was able to get her painkillers.   

Miss Mawson added: 'Given what my nose looks like at the minute I didn't really want to go out in the first place but I was in so much pain I had to.

'I'm a quiet person and I have serious anxiety so for that to happen it really knocked my confidence.

'I wish I could wear a face mask because I understand how important they are but I physically can't have any pressure on it, even the wind blowing on it is quite painful.

'I have to be extremely careful where the hole in the stitching goes, any kind of cloth could have pulled it all off. 

'Even the wind means I have to cover my face with my hand when I walk.' 

 'I've not left my house since that Wednesday. 

'I've been sending the kids out to do stuff and even just going to the shops to get food I'm hesitant and would rather wait until someone comes to help me.'  

The dog attack happened two weeks ago when her friend's dog was being attacked by another dog and she was helping to clean her friend's dog's wounds. 

She said: 'My friend's dog had been attacked by another dog which wasn't on its lead so I ran over to help my friend clean his wounds and that's when it happened.

'As I tilted his head to look at the puncture wound I must have hurt him and he bit out.

Miss Mawson, who runs a horse livery yard and rescues animals for a living, said she did want the dog to be put down. 

'I've known that dog for years and know he didn't do it on purpose, it was just a quick snap reaction,' she said.  

A Paydens spokesperson said: 'Catts Pharmacy are sorry this customer found our service unsatisfactory, in these unprecedented times our front line staff are working extremely hard to do their best for all our patients.

'Whilst there are exemptions from wearing face coverings for certain individuals, our company policy advises staff that any customer not wearing a face covering, whether exempt or not, should be politely asked to wait outside the premises and we will attend to them at the door.

'The reason for this is that despite being exempt from wearing a face covering, we need to protect our staff and other members of the public using our pharmacies.

'Many of the customers visiting pharmacies are vulnerable and need to feel safe whilst in enclosed spaces, and in particular, in healthcare environments. Face coverings are mainly intended to protect others, not the wearer, from coronavirus.

'Our initial investigations into the complaint so far have highlighted a difference in the way this event has been reported and the pharmacy refute any claims that they were rude to the patient.'

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