Community pharmacy team celebrates national award win

The award-winning project, embedded pharmacy professionals within the community Trust's Enhanced Care Home Team. It delivered specialist medicines expertise directly into care homes helping some of the county's most vulnerable residents receive safer, more personalised care.

Delivered between October 2025 and March 2026, the project team, comprising Lead Pharmacist Jasvir Dhillon and Pharmacy Technicians Jo Norton and Stef Atzori, worked across 12 care homes, reviewing the medicines of 320 residents and making around 120 interventions to improve medication safety, reduce harm and enhance quality of life.

Working closely with care home colleagues, GP practices and community nursing teams, the service helped optimise medicines, reduce falls risks and improve the management of long-term health conditions.

The project also supported the education and development of care home staff, building confidence in medicines management and strengthening care for residents.

Jasvir Dhillon, Lead Pharmacist, said: "We are absolutely delighted to have won this national award. It is fantastic recognition of the passion, expertise and commitment shown by everyone involved in the project. Most importantly, it celebrates the positive impact we have been able to make for care home residents, helping people stay safer, healthier and independent for longer. This award demonstrates the real value that pharmacy professionals bring when working as part of multidisciplinary teams."

The project also supported the ambitions of the NHS 10-Year Health Plan by delivering more proactive and preventative care closer to home, helping to reduce the risk of avoidable hospital admissions and improve outcomes for residents.

The award is a testament to the collaborative working of colleagues across health and social care and highlights the innovation taking place across Shropshire to improve services for older people.

Susan Watkins, Chief Pharmacist, said: "I developed the care home pharmacy workstream and concept plan because I could see the difference that dedicated pharmacy expertise could make to residents, care home staff and the wider health and care system. It has been immensely rewarding to see the team take that vision forward and turn it into such a successful service. This national award is a fantastic achievement and well-deserved recognition of their commitment, innovation and dedication. I am incredibly proud of what the team has achieved and of the lasting difference this work is making across Shropshire."

Dr John Jones, Group Chief Medical Officer, said: “Huge congratulations to the project team and all partners who contributed to this award-winning initiative, which showcases the very best of compassionate, collaborative and innovative care.”