Dines Green Pharmacy in Worcester has won the inaugural community pharmacy of the year award sponsored by Smithkline Beecham Consumer Healthcare.
The award, nominated by users of the pharmacy, recognises excellent service above and beyond the normal course of duty. In total, 843 nominations were made covering 162 pharmacies. Customers were asked to nominate their local pharmacy according to three criteria: helpfulness of the advice given; customer service; and added value service above and beyond the normal call of duty.
Six regional winners were selected by a panel of judges. They were Barnton Pharmacy, Barnton, Northwich (north); Busby Pharmacy, Wheathampstead (south), Elizabeth Ure, Glasgow (Scotland); Gateway Chemist, Finchley (London); S. R. Newbury, Swansea (Wales); and Dines Green Pharmacy (Midlands). Dines Green was then selected as the overall winner.
Dr Hooman Ghalamkari, MRPharmS, owner/manager of Dines Green Pharmacy, said: "All the staff do their best to give individual attention, but we are also fortunate in being in an area that has real community spirit."
The photograph shows (left to right) Mr Steve Bescoby and Mr Mike Walker of Smithkline Beecham presenting Dr Ghalamkari with his award while Mr Colin Layland, who made the nomination, looks on.