Carron Grogan, Store Manager at Boots Renfrew, triumphed at the Scottish Pharmacy Awards held at the Hilton Hotel in Glasgow, last Wednesday 8 November. The annual ceremony honours the pharmaceutical sector’s emerging talent, as well as the steadfast service delivered by the healthcare workers year after year. Carron was recognised for her efforts in providing exceptional patient care both in her store and within her local community, and received the new Delivery of Pharmaceutical Care Award.
Carron’s pharmacy is located in a very densely populated, more deprived part of Renfrew in Scotland, where there are high levels of alcohol and drug misuse. Carron identified a lack of support services available for patients in the area and so over the last 12 months has worked hard to establish collaborative working relationships among local healthcare professionals and other organisations, such as the local homeless unit. The development of these key relationships has helped support the improvement of patient care through a more integrated way of working, which ensures every patient has access to care.
An example of such access is a support system designed by Carron to help patients suffering from financial difficulty or mental health issues. She linked in with a local health board pharmacist who helped her to organise a drop-in financial literacy clinic in which they’ve been able to assist vulnerable and struggling patients with filling in forms, claiming benefits, and arranging counselling sessions. And the support doesn’t end there; Carron is active in supporting Harm Reduction, identifying drug misuse and providing additional support for suspected victims of domestic abuse.
Within her store, Carron has developed her team to ensure that patient care is at the very heart of what they do. Carron champions learning and development opportunities, and leads by example having just this week qualified as an independent prescriber herself. She has ensured her team are fully trained in the provision of all services, which have been carefully selected to meet the needs of the local community.
Richard Bradley, Pharmacy Director Boots UK, added: “The care and support Carron gives to those who need it the most is truly inspirational. She is a fantastic example of how Pharmacists can be at the heart of care within local communities and provide a key role in the lives of patients. Carron is a brilliant role model for us all.”
Congratulations to Carron on this fantastic achievement. It is a true reflection of her passion for developing the skills of herself and her team, and for delivering exemplar pharmaceutical care.