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News in Brief
| Pharmacy in Focus 2009 Winners Revealed! |
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| Written by Laure James - Editor Pharmacy in Focus | |
| Thursday, 28 January 2010 13:37 | |
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Presenting some of the most impressive, devoted and remarkable examples of community pharmacy in action, the entries and nominations for the 2009 Pharmacy in Focus Awards gave our independent panel of expert judges an extremely tough time in selecting the crème de la crème. However, on 23 January 2010, the winners were announced at the spectacular ceremony.
Emma Triumphs at Pharmacy Oscars!
Londonderry pharmacist Emma Devenney (28) has earned a top gong at the Pharmacy in Focus Awards, held at the Ramada Hotel in Belfast on 23 January 2010. Emma, who is based at Bradleys Pharmacy on William Street, was praised for her innovative and sensitive approach to caring for the local community, winning the Pharmacy Manager of the Year Award, sponsored by Teva UK. Emma, who was joined on the night by friends and colleagues, is known for her warm and professional way with customers and patients, creating a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere for everyone who visits the pharmacy. Commenting enthusiastically on her achievement Emma said: “I was really shocked to have even been nominated as a finalist so when my name was called out it I really did feel ecstatic! Everyone has been so kind and congratulatory and not only is it great recognition for myself but also Bradleys Pharmacy. It was lovely to come back in the first day after the Awards ceremony and to see the team, who were really pleased for me. Of course, I also owe a huge thank-you to my general manager John McArdle, for nominating me.” Managing director Liam Bradley added: “Emma is a great example to any pharmacist. She works hard and is totally committed to her colleagues, customers and our company. We are delighted for her that she has been recognised in this way.” Meanwhile, Bradleys Pharmacy were ‘dispensed’ double success on the night. The Newtownstewart branch also won the Customer Service Award, in the category for businesses with four pharmacies or more, sponsored by Mylan.
Modern, Sophisticated and Caring
The Dublin Road business, run by husband and wife partnership Cliff and Oonagh McElhinney and their fantastic team, scooped the Customer Service Award (1-3 Pharmacies) at the third Pharmacy in Focus Awards, held at the Ramada Hotel in Belfast on Saturday 23 January. The pharmacy has now scooped this Award on two occasions, firstly during the inaugural Pharmacy in Focus Awards in 2007, proving that great customer service never loses its appeal. “All the team at Urban were delighted to win this Award for a second time,” said Cliff. “It was great to have so many of the team on stage with us to collect the CHEMI. To be twice winners and also a runner up in the 2008 Awards is amazing considering the genuinely high standards of service provided by independent pharmacy in Northern Ireland.” Of course, as well as making its customers very welcome and very beautiful, the pharmacy also takes extremely good care of the South Belfast community’s health and wellbeing. Urban Pharmacy offers the Minor Ailments Scheme, as well as weight management and smoking cessation programmes. Speaking about the Award, his team and his community Cliff added: “We thoroughly enjoyed our evening and congratulations to event organisers Profile for making it such a superb night. We set ourselves a very high standard for our customers, which we aim to maintain!”
Young Pharmacist Is Top Talent!
Aine scooped the Young Pharmacist of the Year Award sponsored by medicines experts Pfizer. Aine has demonstrated a strong understanding of her community’s healthcare needs and her caring, sensitive nature has won the trust of her customers and patients. Speaking about her success and her love of pharmacy Aine said: “I was really honoured and surprised to be presented with the Pharmacy in Focus Young Community Pharmacist of the Year Award. It truly was a memorable evening and a great night for pharmacy to be recognised for its pivotal role in for community. “It is a privilege to be part of a profession with such a developing role. Not only are pharmacists able to help people with the supply of their medication, but we are now able to provide a number of services to the community.” Aine is actively involved in looking after her community’s health, particularly through services such as the minor ailments scheme, smoking cessation, medicines management, blood pressure monitoring, weight management and complementary therapies. “As a pharmacy team we recognise the importance of customer care and aim to improve the health and wellbeing of the local community. We all had a really great time at the Pharmacy in Focus Awards and would like to thank all involved for their hard work in making such a fantastic night.”
Virtual GP Wins It For Lloyds
The Lloyds Pharmacy team based on Strand Road were awarded the Pharmacy Team of the Year and Innovation and Change in Pharmacy Practice Awards at the event, held at the Ramada Hotel in Belfast on 23 January 2010. The Online Doctor service, which offers patients a remote consultation about their health, impressed the judges enough to win the Innovation and Change in Pharmacy Practice Award sponsored by Irish IT experts McLernon Computers. Just moments later Lloyds were called to the stage for a second time as they were declared the winners of the Pharmacy Team of the Year Award, sponsored by McNeil Products. Nicola Pinkerton, area manager for Lloyds Pharmacy in Northern Ireland said: “We were delighted to win the Pharmacy in Focus Innovation and Change Award for our Online Doctor Service. “I am delighted at how the service has been integrated into our pharmacies in Northern Ireland – our teams are testament as to how well it has been received by our customers. They have fully embraced it, engaged our customers and delivered a range of new services." Speaking about the Pharmacy Team of the Year Award and their team, pharmacy supervisor Karen O’Brien said: “We all really enjoyed the awards evening - it was great to get together and celebrate our success!” The pharmacy group’s branch in Londonderry was also greatly commended for its work with Derry City FC and protecting the public against the flu virus through their vaccination clinic. Derry City midfielder Barry Molloy added: “A bout of flu can really knock you out. Even fit and healthy footballers can be struck down with winter flu and we didn’t want to risk any of our team being out of action.”
Newtownstewart Prevails at Pharmacy Oscars!
The team triumphed at the recent Pharmacy in Focus Awards, held at the Ramada Hotel in Belfast on Saturday 23 January, scooping the Customer Service Award (4+ Pharmacies) sponsored by Mylan. Pharmacy manager Lesley Keatley and long serving staff member Heather Stuart were on hand to collect the big prize in front of nearly 600 people. Bradleys Pharmacy were ‘dispensed’ double success on the night, when pharmacist Emma Devenney picked up the Pharmacy Manager of the Year Award. Emma, who is based at the group’s Londonderry branch, was highly commended for her innovative and sensitive approach to caring for her community. In congratulating the team Bradleys Pharmacy managing director Liam Bradley said: “It is great that our committed staff have been rewarded in this way. We all work very hard to not just meet but exceed the needs and expectations of our customers. All of the staff share in this win.”
Hazel’s Winning Ways With Health
Hazel, who is based at the Boots store on High Street, has over 25 years experience in pharmacy and impressed the independent judging panel enough to scoop the Counter Assistant of the Year Award, sponsored by Reckitt Benckiser. Described as “excelling in her role” Hazel was also credited as providing a “shining example” to her colleagues, treating every customer who visits the branch as an individual, caring for them while drawing on her tremendous knowledge of medicines and healthcare. With a passion for health promotion, Hazel also delights in launching new services and raising awareness of them within her local community. Store manager Barbara Connolly said: “Hazel has built up a friendship with her customers that is based on a genuine care for their well-being, and a desire to ensure that people are well and healthy.” Commenting on her success, Hazel said: “I am delighted to win something for doing a job that I love. I’m passionate about keeping our community healthy and like to know that people are satisfied with the service they receive.” In praise of Hazel’s achievement, Boots NI Regional Pharmacy Manager, Aileen Farrell added: “I am thrilled that Hazel’s commitment and dedication to her local community has been recognised in this way. To be awarded Pharmacy Assistant of the Year is a fitting tribute to Hazel and the exemplary level of care she has always shown her patients. Well done!”
Local Pharmacy Comes Out Top in Chemist OSCARS!
Patricia and the team impressed a panel of independent judges enough to win the Health Promotion Award at the Pharmacy in Focus Awards, which was sponsored by diabetes specialists Accu-Chek. Health Promotion involves working with customers and other groups within the community to raise awareness about healthy living and to help make people of all ages and backgrounds to make informed choices about their health. On collecting her award, Patricia said: “I’m absolutely thrilled - I love working with our community and I love to see new patients come in and ask for advice. We have also worked closely with the staff in other shops in the centre, offering healthcare advice on matters such as smoking cessation.” Patricia was highly praised for their work with the local Link community centre. They established a project to encourage people to take greater responsibility for their own health and devised a series of weekly, fifteen-minute sessions covering topics from alcohol and drug misuse to insomnia and even aromatherapy. In praise of Patricia’s achievement, Boots NI Regional Pharmacy Manager, Aileen Farrell added: “I am absolutely delighted that Patricia has been recognised for her continued dedication and commitment to her local community. Patricia has embraced her role as a community pharmacist and has used her skill and expertise to show her patients an exemplary level of care. Well done!”
Belmont’s Best Business? Dundela Pharmacy!
Dundela Pharmacy, founded by John McCrea back in 1959, won the Pharmacy in Focus Business Initiative Award at the glittering event in honour of its dedication to providing high quality healthcare and some of the world’s best beauty brands to the people of Belmont and beyond. The pharmacy is now run by John’s son, David McCrea and over the past fifty years the business has grown to become one of the area’s most trusted and valued pharmacies, as well as home to a state-of-the-art digital photography lab. Michelle McAuley from Award sponsors Actavis presented David with a specially commissioned CHEMI, an Oscar in the pharmacy world, on the night. The pharmacy was applauded for its keen eye for new trends and its fifty year anniversary which was celebrated with local customers and UTV’s Julian Simmons. The team were also commended for their excellent levels of customer care and devotion to the community, as Dundela Pharmacy was also named a finalist in the Customer Service (1-3 Pharmacies), the Pharmacy Team of the Year, Innovation and Change in Pharmacy Practice and Commitment to Health and Social Wellbeing Awards! Speaking about the Award, his team and his community David said: “We were delighted to be named as finalists in 5 categories, and winning the Business Initiative award was the icing on the cake, recognising the fact that in the year of our 50th Anniversary we are not only reflecting on our history, but looking forward to the future as an integral part of the community. I would like to pay tribute to the staff at Dundela, who have over 120 years service with the Pharmacy between them. Without their loyalty, dedication, and teamwork none of our achievements of the last year would have been possible." “At Dundela Pharmacy we are justifiably proud of our 50 year history; our reputation has been built on exceptional levels of customer service and commitment to health and social well-being. Our recent refurbishment cements our future as it was an investment not only in the business, but in the local community: the Belmont Road and surrounding area is vibrant and diverse with lots to offer, and I feel very privileged to be able to serve its community.” |
It may dazzle with its high end perfumery and beauty ranges, and attract the most discerning of Belfast’s cosmetic addicts but Urban Pharmacy is much more than just creators of a pretty face. 
The future of Draperstown is about to get a whole lot healthier! Aine O’Kane (26) from O’Kanes Pharmacy triumphed in the Pharmacy in Focus Awards, held at the Ramada Hotel in Belfast on 23 January. 
A revolutionary new way of getting professional healthcare and a very caring Londonderry pharmacy team scooped two top gongs at the Northern Ireland Pharmacy in Focus Awards. 
Whether you’re visiting to pick a prescription, for advice about your family’s health or to indulge in a sweet scent from the perfumery, you are guaranteed to feel in safe hands at Bradleys Pharmacy in Newtownstewart. 
Local pharmacy counter assistant Hazel McConnell has been presented with a top prize at the Pharmacy in Focus Awards, in honour of her professional and caring service to the community in Omagh. 
Local pharmacist Patricia Finnegan and her team at Boots Pharmacy in Ards Shopping Centre scooped a top prize at the glittering Pharmacy in Focus Awards ceremony held in Belfast on Saturday 23 January. 
One of East Belfast’s best-loved, family run community businesses has scooped a top prize at the Pharmacy in Focus Awards, held at the Ramada Hotel in Belfast on Saturday 23 January.