Proving that with age can come excellence, 61-year-old June Cambridge-Rose was highly commended for Healthy Living Advisor.

June says that life experience played a big part in her becoming health champion for Bedminster Pharmacy in Bristol at a time when many would be looking to slow down rather than taking on a new role. “For years I had seen the impact of bad lifestyle choices on patients and how we cared for them after the damage was done,” says June. “This was a great opportunity to influence and support patients to adopt a different journey, which we do with humour, fun and respect for their choices.”

Another area in which she has been prominent is developing the pharmacy’s incontinence range. June works with manufacturers so customers can take away samples to try, as well as product guides, and has streamlined the stock. The result is, she is proud to say, “a very dignified and professional patient experience” that involves adopting a holistic approach in order to refer anyone who may have a medical cause for their problem that could benefi t from more specialist advice.

Tess Fenn, president of the Association of Pharmacy Technicians UK and Awards judge, said: “June has shown that she has been able to transfer her knowledge of local patients and customers into a practical solution to provide care.”

June’s accomplishment as a Healthy Living Advisor Award finalist is just part of the journey which began with her joining her pharmacy as a delivery driver. Judge Richard Stephenson, head of group operations at Right Medicine Pharmacy, summed it up best when he said: “A classic example of someone rising through the ranks to success.”