Portglenone Pharmacy shortlisted for four awards at pharmacy 'oscars'

by Gráinne Connolly

Bannside pharmacy in Portglenone is in the running for four awards at the highly esteemed Pharmacy in Focus Awards, the industry's leading awards ceremony that recognises the contributions of Northern Ireland's pharmacy champions.

Bannside's pharmacist Ryan Graham is aiming to scoop the Pharmacist of the Year Award and assistant Shauna Hagan is up for the Pharmacy Team Member of the Year Award.

The chemist itself is then in the running for both the Health Promotion Award and the celebrated Pharmacy of the Year Award.

Bannside Pharmacy is renowned for its comprehensive health promotion strategy, working extensively in its local community through outreach and tailored projects and its efforts have been widely recognised.

Ryan himself is particularly passionate about health promotion and through his efforts the pharmacy was one of the first in Northern Ireland to achieve Health+ Pharmacy accreditation.

With regard to Shauna, the judges were particularly impressed by her ‘dedication to the team’ and her willingness to ‘go the extra mile’ for patients.

In the finals, Bannside Pharmacy will face another local contender, Caroline Bustard from Boots in Ballymena.

For the last few years, Caroline has taken a special interest in helping those with addiction problems in the local area and has facilitated several courses to provide support, education and help to patients.

Bernie Watts, Pharmacy Advisor at Boots Ballymena Health Centre, is also up for the Pharmacy Team Member of the Year Award.

Bernie has worked at the pharmacy for more than 20 years and is responsible for ensuring that patients, who visit the Health Centre pharmacy, have the best possible experience.

This year there was a record number of award entries received from all over Northern Ireland with accolades being handed out across eleven categories:

Customer Service, eHealth and Innovation in Pharmacy, Pharmacy Team Member of the Year, Enterprise within Pharmacy, Young Community Pharmacist of the Year, Pharmacy of the Year, Health Promotion, Pharmacist of the Year, Pharmacy Hero and Community Pharmacy Service Initiative.

A special merit of recognition will also be presented on the evening to an individual for Outstanding Contribution to Pharmacy.  

Winners will be chosen by a panel of judges made up of experts in their field and by mystery shoppers.

Over 500 professionals will gather on 27 January 2018 at Titanic, Belfast to hear who has scooped a prestigious ‘Chemi’ award. 

Businesses and individual pharmacists, counter assistants, technicians, policy makers and influential figures from the pharmacy world will gather to see the best of the province’s pharmacy professionals honoured.