Outstanding Contribution Award HCs

Jennifer Elton, Blythe Bridge Pharmacy, Stoke on Trent

At 14 years old, Jennifer Elton started working in pharmacy in 1968. “She has dedicated 55 years to community pharmacy and is well respected throughout her community,” said nominator and pharmacy manager, Gemma Watson. The judges echoed this sentiment. Mike Holden, associate director at Pharmacy Complete, said: “Wow, 55 years of self-development and dedication to her pharmacy and community,” while Richard Stephenson, operations director at Right Medicine Pharmacy Ltd, added: “A career of service that not many can claim and has done so much good work in that time.”

Over the years Jennifer has seen many changes. From writing labels by hand to digital prescriptions, she has kept up with the busy, fast-paced, dynamic world that is community pharmacy. A self-proclaimed “Blythebridge girl”, Jennifer has lived in Blythe all of her life and her years of work at the pharmacy have meant that she has built incomparable relationships with the pharmacy’s customers in the community. Helping customers to feel comfortable in asking her for help, in the pharmacy and even when she may bump into them in the community. In addition, Jennifer is also a Dementia friend, and after completing the online training, is confident supporting the pharmacy’s patients that have dementia, approaching them with patience and compassion.

“Length of service is a testament to your skillset and teamworking,” said Nicola Stockmann, RoE judge and president of APTUK. “Pharmacy services provided over your length of service have changed and evolved significantly and you’ve been an anchor for it all.”

Andrea Bevan, Allied Pharmacy, Maendy Square

Andrea Bevan started working in pharmacy in 1990, contributing 34 years to the sector. She remembers making up medicines in the pharmacy from scratch, as well as conducting in-pharmacy pregnancy tests – recalling many happy and joyous moments with customers. “She’s a friendly face and known locally by everyone,” said nominator and manager Natalie Berry. “The patients find comfort in her presence and her knowledge of remedies new and old feels limitless.” Andrea is set to retire in 2025, so we are delighted to be able to reward her with highly commended for the Outstanding Contribution category.

Rupen Sedani, RoE judge and retail clinical superintendent at Avicenna, said she is: “A credit to community pharmacy with her dedication – nothing is too much trouble.”

Andrea has helped to train every member of staff that has come through the pharmacy’s doors and is active in fundraising, looking forward to the pharmacy’s next raffle which is for the St Davids Foundation, supporting local cancer patients.

She exemplifies just how community pharmacy staff make such real connections with patients. So much so, that when one of their patients was diagnosed with bowel cancer, Andrea went round to their house to just sit with them whilst they took their first course of medication. Nicola Stockmann, RoE judge and president of APTUK said Andrea has a “wonderful impact”, whilst Mike Holden, RoE judge and associate director at Pharmacy Complete, added: “Andrea is a brilliant example of a long-serving and loyal member of the pharmacy team, there for her patients.”