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Gina Spiteri has lived in Bristol all her life, and now finds herself working at Bedminster Pharmacy, a family-run independent pharmacy located in the heart of the city, just 10 minutes’ drive from her childhood home.
Where her journey all began
It has been two years since Gina started her pharmacy journey, but time has flown. “I always wanted to go into pharmacy, but I didn’t know if it was to become a pharmacist or be working in another role in the pharmacy,” she says. “I think it’s because I like the idea of helping people, and being in that type of environment, that I wanted to go into pharmacy from the beginning. I also liked that in the apprenticeship I could work while learning.”
Gina describes how a feeling of familiarity with the pharmacy also drew her in, as well as the relationships she observed among staff and customers. “I used to collect medication for my family members, my nan mainly, when I was growing up,” she says. “When you’re local to a pharmacy, you get a relationship with the people who work there.”
Getting a feel for pharmacy
Coming from college, Gina found the shift to working in pharmacy took a bit of getting used to. “At the start, it was so overwhelming for me because it was all new. But as soon as I got the hang of it, I felt better,” she explains. “I needed that routine!”
Her confidence has grown especially due to having such a supportive team. “I feel like I was supported through my dispensing course at work, because I could always ask questions,” Gina says.
“I used to feel like I was being irritating, asking so many questions, but the pharmacist would explain it to me which I found really helpful. I don’t really like asking too many questions, I just want to get it done, but this way of training makes sense because you are learning while you are working.”
Over and above qualifying as a dispenser, Gina also completed her flu and Covid-19 vaccine training, an important service the pharmacy offers, especially, as Gina mentions, many of their customers and patients are elderly members of the community. “I was nervous doing my training, because I was thinking about how it is an important job, vaccinating someone, and I didn’t want to get it wrong,” Gina remembers. And after getting the hang of it, it was no longer Gina’s nerves she had to worry about, but rather those of the customers. “People are sometimes very nervous, so I just calm them down by talking to them. I always say it’s just going to be a little pinch.”
“It’s rewarding when you can solve someone’s problem”
Find the time, putting in the effort
Not only does Gina go about her dispensing, counter and administering flu jab responsibilities meticulously, she also finds time to go the extra mile for customers.
One customer, Gina recalls, was extremely worried. Her prescribed medicine was out of stock. Day after day she came into the store, but still no luck. Gina decided to check the supplier’s website constantly and found that they had the medicine in powder form, but not the tablets that the customer had been prescribed. “I phoned the surgery and asked if they could prescribe the powder instead, which they did.
“When the customer came in next I was able to provide her with her medication – she had been waiting about a week. It’s rewarding when you can solve someone’s problem,” Gina says.
Motivated by these types of interactions with customers, Gina’s next wish is to start her accuracy checking technician training. “It’ll take me two years to do, but there is a lot that opens up.”
A quick catch up with an RoE winner
Also a member of staff at Bedminster Pharmacy, and working alongside Gina, is Anu Padonu, winner of the Best Newcomer category from this year’s Recognition of Excellence (RoE) Awards. Training Matters was able to catch up with her, too, three months later, in her new role as trainee pharmacy technician. “I have found pharmacy to be a platform through which I can contribute meaningfully to the well-being of others,” Anu says. “The most compelling aspect of the dispensing role lies in its accessibility to individuals without prior pharmacy experience, a category to which I belonged. Despite commencing from a modest starting point devoid of any relevant background, I completed the dispensing course.” When asked about what winning an RoE Award meant to her, she said: “It was amazing to win the Best Newcomer award. It’s so rewarding to have my efforts recognised. This reward is a reminder of why I’m passionate about pharmacy and it motivates me to continue pushing boundaries.
“I hope this recognition encourages others to pursue their passions with the same dedication.” Now enrolled in the pharmacy technician course, Anu plans to complete this by 2026.
If you would like to register your interest to find out when RoE entries open next year, you can do so here.
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