Girl, 3, forced to wet herself after Lloyds chemist says she can't use toilet

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Lucia O'Neill had been to the doctor with a suspected urinary tract infection
Was desperately needing the toilet when waiting for prescription at chemist
But staff at Lloyds Pharmacy refused to allow toddler to use their restroom
Mum Beverley couldn't find another local facility in time and three-year-old was caught short, having to return to chemist for tablets in soiled clothes

Published: 10:52 EST, 13 August 2015 | Updated: 13:20 EST, 13 August 2015

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Lucia O'Neill, 3, desperately needed the toilet was forced to wet herself in the street after Lloyds Pharmacy staff refused to let her use their restroom

A toddler with a urine infection who desperately needed the toilet was forced to wet herself in the street after Lloyds Pharmacy staff refused to let her use their restroom.

Three-year-old Lucia O'Neill was stood waiting with mother Beverley for 25 minutes as chemists sorted her prescription after her doctor issued her an order for antibiotics.

Despite being aware the little girl was suffering with a suspected urinary tract infection and had drank numerous bottles of water, the shop's lead pharmacist refused her mum's desperate pleas to let her crying daughter use the toilet.

With no option available, Beverley, from Clydebank, near Glasgow, took distressed Lucia out of the shop to hunt for the nearest public restroom.

However, with none in close range, the toddler eventually couldn't hold any longer and was caught short as she stood on the pavement.

Beverley said: 'I was totally appalled.

'We'd been at the health centre for more than an hour where Lucia had drunk several bottles of water in the hope she could supply a urine sample.

'But she was in so much pain that she couldn't do it, telling the doctor it was 'too sore'.

'When we got to the chemist, I told the staff that she was waiting for her prescription for a urine infection and that she was desperate for the toilet.

'I explained that Lucia was suffering from a suspected urinary tract infection, and the girl at the front counter asked the pharmacist if she'd be allowed to use their toilet.'

However, Beverley was told there was 'a lot of stuff around' and that if Lucia wanted to use the toilet she'd have to go elsewhere.

The mother-of-two - who was also with son Aaron, 6, at the time - added: 'They knew exactly the situation she was in.

Three-year-old Lucia O'Neill was stood waiting with mother Beverley for 25 minutes as chemists sorted her prescription after her doctor issued her an order for antibiotics

Despite being aware the little girl was suffering with a suspected urinary tract infection and had drank numerous bottles of water, the lead pharmacist in the Clydebank shop (pictured) refused her mum's desperate pleas to let her crying daughter use the toilet

'The whole 25 minutes we were waiting it was completely obvious that she was distressed. She was crying and kept saying "it's coming, it's coming", saying how sore it was for her to hold in.'

At that point the family headed outside to try and find a toilet.

But within seconds Lucia wet herself.

Beverley was told there was 'a lot of stuff around' and that if Lucia (pictured) wanted to use the toilet she'd have to go elsewhere

FOUNDATION OFFERS TOILET CARD

The Bladder and Bowel Foundation offers people with medical conditions a VIP pass to help access toilet facilities in the UK.

For £5 people can purchase Just Can’t Wait toilet card, which clearly states that the holder has a medical condition and needs to use a toilet quickly.

Although it does not guarantee you access to a toilet, the B&BF states that most places are willing to help.

The card is designed to fit easily into your purse, wallet or pocket. You can show the card when you’re out shopping and socialising and it may help you gain access to a toilet.

Source: Bladder and Bowel Foundation

'We were standing on the pavement and she was so embarrassed,' said Beverley.

'It was such a shame.'

They all then headed back into the shop, where the three of them had to continue waiting for Lucia's prescription - Lucia in her soiled clothing.

Beverley says she wasn't offered any apology from the pharmacist or the other members of staff, even when she asked for the phone number for their head office.

After finally collecting the antibiotics, she was forced to use her jacket to try and keep young Lucia warm as they made their way back to their car.

Beverley added: 'I will never go back again.'

A spokeswoman for Lloyds Pharmacy admitted that the shop could have been more accommodating to the three-year-old's needs.

She said : 'Due to toilets within our pharmacies being generally located behind the dispensaries where confidential patient material and controlled drugs are stored, access to the public is prohibited.

'On this occasion we recognise that a member of the pharmacy team could have accompanied the customer and her child to the bathroom and we apologise for any inconvenience caused.'