A lucky thirteen awards were handed out to the winners, who emerged triumphant after battling it out with the other nominations.

Hosted by brainbox comedian Paul Sinha, the C+D awards were a sell-out with over 500 guests in the room.

Winners on the night included Pharmacy Team of the Year, Smaller Groups, which was won by Wellswood Pharmacy, and Pharmacy Team of the Year, Large Groups, which was won by Rowlands Pharmacy, Oaklands.

The judges loved both these entries, saying both demonstrated that even the steepest challenges can be beaten with a combination of teamwork and positive proactivity.

Read more: The GP pharmacist with a prescription for success

GP or PCN Pharmacist of the Year was won by Nazir Hussain, Dudley Integrated Health and Care NHS Trust, who judges described as a trailblazer, while Kingston University won the Diversity and Inclusion Award for the tangible improvements it has made in reducing healthcare inequalities.

Derryn Cottrill, Euro Chemist, won the award for Community Pharmacist of the Year after opening a temporary dispensary from the basement following a devastating fire. “Passion, a positive attitude in serving the community and motivating staff shows dedication to the profession,” said judges.

 

Healthy success

 

And South-West London ICS and Community Pharmacy South-West London picked up the award for Health Initiative of the Year, which judges said would deliver a reduction in winter-related hospital admissions among old people, and that pharmacy teams and participants have provided overwhelmingly positive feedback.

The awards then turned to a people focus. Buttercups Training won the Training and Development Award after what one judge said was a “great example of EDI in action”.

Trainee Pharmacist of the Year was won by Kevin Oakley, Beggs Pharmacy Team, Paydens, which judges said demonstrated “amazing work”.

Another said: “This is a great entry as it comes from team members and gives me hope of the future of the profession.”

Read more: The award-winning community pharmacist leading the charge for DSPs

There was a highly commended in the category for Pharmacy Staff Member of the Year. Lakhjivan Panesar, from Superdrug Slough Farnham Road, was recognised for her “amazing contributions” and our judges said it would be great to see her supported to become a registered pharmacy technician.

The winner of the Pharmacy Staff Member of the Year was Jordan Back, Westons Pharmacy, Paydens. “An excellent example of skills and knowledge being applied to make a positive difference to patients,” said one judge.

“This is a shining example of the impact an individual staff member can have on the health of their patients and driving the uptake of community pharmacy services,” said another.

And manager of the year was won by Mohammed Rashad, The Medicines Management Team. Judges said it was a “convincing submission with breadth and depth in terms of training, development and improving health and health outcomes.”

SignatureRx picked up the award for Innovation of the Year. Judges said the “scale of success here makes this entry a worthy winner of this category”.

 

Unsung hero

 

Cadbury Heath Pharmacy & Health Clinic won the Independent Pharmacy of the Year. Judges said it was a “great team delivering everything that a pharmacy should be doing today and tomorrow. A great example to other independents to follow, and a deserved winner.”

The final award of the evening was for Unsung Hero, and was presented to Paul John, Blood Borne Virus Pharmacist, NHS.

Judges said his “individual efforts are undeniably impressive, he has gone above and beyond to find people with the disease and offer them treatment. But his actions also contribute to a wider UK plan. This is a commendable cause, and this pharmacist has been leading the way on this.”

“Our judges and the C+D team all know how hard it was to pick a winner across the categories,” said C+D’s editor-in-chief James Halliwell. “The shortlists were all fantastic. But to those who did win, you thoroughly deserve it. Congratulations again.”