Best Newcomer Award Winner

“How long does it take to make a difference?” began Anu Padonu’s nomination. “It depends on the heart and industry that you put into doing so. Well, that is the story of our colleague – ever-smiling, diligent and relentlessly pursuing excellence for our patients through all we do in our pharmacy (and she does have plans for us to do more for them!).”

The difference

Anu had only been at Bedminster Pharmacy for nine months when she was nominated for the Best Newcomer Award. Six weeks after joining, Anu was already delivering Covid and flu vaccinations, and in the weeks that followed, her positive influence continued to spread to other areas of the pharmacy. Anu revamped the dispensing process, which has now seen a 10 per cent increase, established an excellent liaison with the local General Practice and helped drive forward the blood pressure service. “[She helped] to ensure that the increased workload did not disrupt the other services provided by the pharmacy, but was embedded seamlessly, [and she] even focussed on increasing uptake with clear messaging,” wrote her nominator Jess. Mimi Lau, RoE judge and CEO of Pickfords Pharmacy, praised Anu’s quick learning ability and the impact she has made on her colleagues and customers: “Only nine months in post and already a rising star! Well respected by her colleagues and loved by her customers. Some very positive results on business KPIs due to her input, enthusiasm and attitude.”

Community at the core

While the business side of the pharmacy has evidently been important to Anu, it is clear that community is what truly motivates her. “We cannot fail to mention her support for community outreach programmes, including our work addressing period poverty, improving community cardiovascular risk assessment, and using the Pharmacy First service to help make NHS care more accessible to our community”, said Jess, adding that she is a “take a message to the people person”. Anu is relentless in finding more ways for her pharmacy to better care for their community and sees the pharmacy as a place where customers should be encouraged to have their health checked, instead of turning customers away. “It is not misplaced confidence, but an ambition that the patients and the community we serve get more from the care they trust us [with],” said Jess.

Janice Perkins, chair of the RPS Community Pharmacy Expert Advisory Group and RoE judge, added: “Anu has had an amazing impact on her colleagues, patients and the local community she works with. Her enthusiasm for pharmacy and her desire to learn and deliver new services for the community is infectious. She’s an inspiring addition to her team and a great ambassador for the profession.” Arunoday Lekkala, RoE 2023 Spotlight Award winner, also commented on Anu’s nomination: “Her resilience is that she does not let anything rob her smile or joy at helping others.”