Pharmacists of south west London are brewing up a storm in the challenge to be deemed pharmacist of the year.
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society is in its third year of the ‘I Love My Pharmacist’ award, where voting for regional finalists closes July 21.
Community pharmacist Peter Kelly of Clapham has been shortlisted in the London and Kent region after ten years in the field and introducing his ‘Five Simple Steps to Healthy Living’ programme.
Peter said: “When I started the idea there was no grand plan but I have witnessed first hand the significant impact that this programme is having on my local community.
“Through my role as a pharmacist I have gained in-depth knowledge on how to live a healthy lifestyle and as a result I feel a duty to raise awareness of this with the public.”
Applause is often shelved for these unsung heroes of the NHS who work alongside doctors and nurses to provide expert advice and community support for things such as smoking cessation.
This award seeks to dispense the myth that chemists just hide behind a counter.
Another of the four regional nominees is Esther Wong for her outstanding contribution to the care of neurology patients at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, Fulham.
“I am truly passionate about enhancing care and experience for our patients and the changes we have made enable me to help enhance the patient’s journey,” said Esther.
“A pharmacist is more than just a dispenser of medicine.”
The other nominees are Catherine McKenzie of Westminster’s Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital in and Zafar Khan who has managed the country’s only 24-hour pharmacy for 19 years in Earls Court.
Regional winners will be announced August 1 and finalists will be interviewed by a panel on September 9 to find the overall champion.
Click here to vote.
