Clinical Services Star and Spotlight Award 2026

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Photography Credit: Nathalie Crouch Photography 

Above L-R: Kerry Greenaway, assistant editor TM; Katherine Mathews; Henry Gregg, chief executive NPA

Katherine Mathews, Everetts Pharmacy, Whiteley, Fareham

Clincial Services Star and Spotlight Award winner

Sometimes, the RoE judges come across an entry that simply ticks all of the boxes, and this was the case with our Clinical Services Star Award and overall Spotlight Award winner, Katherine Mathews.

Beyond excellence

Katherine is a pharmacy technician and store manager who has embedded England’s Pharmacy First Service into everyday practice. Between November 2025 and February 2026, her management of the service contributed to a measurable increase of at least five per cent in Pharmacy First service delivery compared to the previous year.

Importantly, Katherine also collaborates closely with GP practices to support Pharmacy Contraception Service referrals, as well as cardiovascular disease prevention through the Hypertension Case Finding Service. All of this reflects Katherine’s ability to integrate pharmacy services within wider primary care pathways and ensure patients receive appropriate care without undue delay.

“Katherine also plays an important role in supporting safe transitions of care through the Discharge Medicines Service, ensuring discharge information is acted upon promptly, prescriptions are accurate, and patients understand any changes to their medicines,” said her colleague and nominator, Anjlee Shah.

“Her structured, patient-centred approach supports continuity of care and reduces the risk of medication-related issues following discharge.”

Anjlee provided extensive examples of how Katherine utilises every care pathway available to get the best possible outcome for the patient.

For instance, Anjlee explained: “Following a local ICB-led chronic kidney disease (CKD) awareness campaign, Katherine proactively utilised resources including the Kidney Health Checker and NHS guidance to support opportunistic identification of patients at risk. She embedded this into daily practice through patient engagement and signposting, contributing to increased awareness and supporting earlier recognition of CKD.”

Katherine has undertaken training in emergency hormonal contraception provision, plays a pivotal role in the New Medicine Service, and collaborates with local sexual health services to support access to contraception, where she signposts patients to resources such as the ‘Let’s Talk About It’ platform. Her approach in this, said Anjlee, is “sensitive, non-judgemental and aligned with safeguarding principles”.

Measurable impact

The judges were blown away by how Katherine has embraced every element of the pharmacy technician role. “Katherine demonstrates outstanding leadership, integrating clinical services, delivering measurable growth, strengthening GP collaboration, and consistently improving patient outcomes in practice,” said judge Tim Rendell of Day Lewis Pharmacy.

“Katherine’s passion to support her colleagues and patients shone through in this nomination,” said fellow judge Richard Dunne, head of healthcare capability at Boots UK.

Danielle Evans, Castle Pharmacy, Mumbles, Swansea

Clinical Services Star Highly Commended

Danielle Evans has played a pivotal role in her pharmacy’s successful adoption of an EPS system, and played a huge part in improving the uptake of vaccinations in her area. “Dani has managed to make Castle one of our highest vaccination branches,” wrote her nominator, Ayesha Nawaz.

“She is known to embrace change and always be the first to tell customers about the services available in the pharmacy, all the while consistently treating patients to the highest of standards.”

RoE judge and managing director of Precision Healthcare Mimi Lau said it was “truly inspirational” reading Danielle’s award entry. “It is clear that Danielle is passionate about doing the very best for her patients and work colleagues in the pharmacy,” said Mimi.

“She shows a keenness to learn and has used her clinical knowledge to further benefit her community by being a first responder for the ambulance service at weekends. She drives all the clinical services offered and I like the fact that to improve uptake of services, she understands the need to proactively approach and talk to customers and not just rely on posters or social media – something that is not often done. Inspirational to read.”

Fellow judge Raj Nutan, healthcare strategy and services director at Cencora Alliance Healthcare, added: “Danielle brings outstanding community commitment and service promotion, significantly boosting vaccination uptake and successfully leading EPS implementation, despite limited resources.”

Danielle is pictured above with her manager, Marilyn Davies, whose support has been instrumental.

Madalina Ivanescu, Day Lewis Pharmacy, Finchampstead Berkshire

Clinical Services Star Highly Commended

After leaving Romania for the UK in 2011, Madalina Ivanescu was looking for a different lifestyle – one that involved helping and supporting other people. Her sister had begun working in a pharmacy, which inspired Madalina to apply, and to her surprise, get a job straight away.

Since then, she has continued to chase her full potential, as she put it, always looking for ways to improve, learn more and better the level of care for patients.

Madalina has found her calling, most notably in delivering services in the pharmacy, where she has made a profound difference to her patients.

“Through her determination and self-belief, Madalina has made a successful career in pharmacy. She understands the need to drive clinical services to improve patient outcomes and balances business performance,” commented judge Mimi Lau, managing director of Precision Healthcare.

“She also understands the benefit of collaborative working – with her team, with GP practices and other pharmacies – a great role model for others.”

While Madalina’s nomination showed her skill in delivering the services offered in the pharmacy, it was her impact on patients through the pharmacy’s weight management service that really stood out.

In her own words, Madalina said: “I think my biggest achievement so far is not just providing the service, but I was also able to help the community to become healthier, look after themselves better and change their lifestyle, because weight loss is not just about the injection, it’s about changing the whole lifestyle.”