The inspiring ways in which independent pharmacists and their teams meet the health needs of their local communities across the UK were celebrated at a national awards event at the House of Commons last week.
The Independent Pharmacy awards, run in association with Independent Community Pharmacist magazine, drew an audience of MPs, leading figures within community pharmacy, and pharmaceutical industry executives who heard about the innovative work going on within the industry.
Among the recipients was Hardik Desai, who runs the Ticehurst pharmacy. He won the “Extra Mile Award” having set up the first pharmacy-led Covid-19 vaccination centre in Sussex using the Ticehurst village hall as a clinic. He recruited and trained 40 local volunteers to help support the centre.
In May, after we lobbied for a centre in Rye, Hardik agreed to establish a facility in the former school at Tilling Green. This has delivered over 12,000 jabs. Hardik’s close colleagues, Ankit Tyagi and Tejas Avaiya provide the local lead. The Rye Centre is supported by over 50 volunteers, without whom the facility would not be possible.
This national award to the “Ticehurst Group” is added to the commendation given earlier by Rye authorities to mark 10,000 jabs delivered.
The Rye centre is presently delivering booster jabs to the over 50s and the vulnerable. Full details can be found on Facebook @ryepfizer.
Image Credits: Hardik Desai .