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Photography Credit: Nathalie Crouch Photography
Above: Bonnie Meurs
Bonnie Meurs, Paydens (Rusthall) Pharmacy, Tunbridge Wells
Best Newcomer Award Winner
Bonnie Meurs’ nomination, which went on to win her the Best Newcomer Award, is a testament to rolling with life’s punches. After finding herself being made redundant from her previous job in an opticians, Bonnie found a way to make the most of the skills she had acquired and put them to use elsewhere.
Considering that she enjoyed the medical side of working at the opticians, she decided to pursue a role in pharmacy, a career pivot which has been both challenging and rewarding.
A fast learner
Bonnie has made a real contribution to the pharmacy already, leading her to be nominated for the Best Newcomer Award after such a short space of time. “Bonnie has only been with us and in pharmacy for eight months, but during that time, has shown repeatedly that she has such promise,” said Alison Ware, pharmacist co-ordinator at Paydens Ltd.
“She has undertaken training tasks and modules with great enthusiasm and interest and is doing well [and] shows real care in her job role.”
In this short amount of time, Bonnie has passed her dispensing course, become the only full-time employee at the pharmacy and runs the dispensary. “The dispensary is like my baby,” she said, especially as she works Monday to Saturday, every week. Bonnie has become the go-to for any questions or queries in the dispensary, becoming a pillar of knowledge and support for her team.
An attentive eye
During her first few months in the pharmacy, Bonnie has already developed a reputation for being attentive, quick-thinking and reactive, attributes which have allowed her to make multiple life-saving referrals. One customer, who Bonnie knows has a history of suffering from fits, came in and was slurring their speech.
Bonnie immediately noticed and got the customer to sit down before calling over the pharmacist, suspecting the customer may be at risk of a stroke. It did not end up being a stroke, but they did have a seizure, and Bonnie and the pharmacist were able to administer medication and call an ambulance.
On another occasion, Bonnie was advising a customer who was complaining of a migraine. Bonnie asked them several questions, leading her to find out the migraine had persisted for a week, and they had taken medicine to no avail.
She then asked if they had any trouble with their vision – seeing floating objects or flashing lights – which they did. Bonnie and her pharmacist then decided the customer should be referred to A&E, where it was discovered that they had a brain bleed. “[Bonnie has] great intuition and consultation skills, resulting in life-saving interventions,” wrote judge Elen Jones, Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) director for Wales.
Lauren Robbins, Cadbury Heath Pharmacy & Health Clinic, Bristol
Highly Commended
“In the first 12 months since Lauren started, she has excelled in customer care and focus, and she is responsible for the exemplary presentation of the shop floor, ensuring that the message to customers is one of professionalism, efficiency and, above all, care,” said Lauren’s nominator, pharmacist Simon Harris.
Lauren has quickly become adept in the pharmacy, carrying out blood pressure checks, ear piercing, advising patients on products, working in the dispensary and arranging the shop floor depending on the season. She has crucially helped many customers, including referring one patient to the pharmacist who ended up being diagnosed with an arrhythmia.
“Recently whilst conducting a clinical BP check on a patient, she identified that the patient had an irregular heartbeat, and together with the pharmacist the patient was referred to her GP, received the necessary ECG and the resultant treatment required,” said Simon.
“It’s clear to read that Lauren chose community pharmacy because she knew she would make a difference to many people’s lives,” commented judge and 2024 Spotlight Award winner, Rachel Graham. “It definitely feels like Lauren has found her vocation, and many people will truly benefit from her.”
Ade Williams MBE, lead pharmacist at Bedminster Pharmacy in Bristol and RoE judge, echoed these sentiments. “Lauren has become an ambassador of the ambition and aspirations of her community pharmacy team for their local population. This is a testament to her alignment to this ambition and willingness to help deliver it.”
Azaliaa Adisa, Totty Pharmacy, London
Highly Commended
“Wow, I would love to work alongside this young lady!” wrote judge Rachel Graham, 2024 Spotlight Award winner. “She definitely has that special ‘something’ you can’t teach… passion, positive attitude and understated confidence. She has truly embraced community pharmacy and all it has to offer.” Azaliaa began working in the pharmacy two weeks before her 19th birthday, in August 2024.
“What drew me to the pharmacy was that, to me, it represents an omnipresent symbol of healthcare, because it is equally accessible to anyone and everyone,” said Azaliaa. Now, having worked in the role for a few months, this feeling has been affirmed.
“The ability to make a real difference in someone’s life, whether by ensuring the safe use of medications or simply offering reassurance, makes pharmacy not just important, but truly meaningful. It’s a career that constantly evolves yet remains grounded in human connection.”
Azaliaa has already completed her dispensing and MCA certifications, gaining paediatric and adult first aid certificates, and the NHS Cadet programme with St John’s ambulance.
She is currently completing her Level 2 Pharmacy Services Assistant apprenticeship and has signed up for the NPA Counter Assistant course, “to expand [her] knowledge and widen [her] horizons, building confidence in patient interactions and over-the-counter support”.
Judge Ade Williams MBE, lead pharmacist at Bedminster Pharmacy in Bristol, commented: “Azaliaa has that exceptional drive to deliver outstanding care with uncommon dedication and passion.”
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