4 July 2008
NHSG/54/08
National recognition for Aberdeen pharmacist
An Aberdeen pharmacist has received national recognition for pioneering a range of initiatives aimed at improving services for patients.
Valerie Sillito, the only Scottish award winner, received the prestigious Chemist & Druggist 'Community Pharmacist of the Year' award at a ceremony in London's Grosvenor House Hotel.
Professor George Downie, Director of Pharmacy and Medicines Management for NHS Grampian, acknowledged the contribution Valerie is making.
He said: "In her role as a community and practice pharmacist, she set up clinics to review patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
"She recently extended her qualification to independent pharmacist prescriber allowing her to prescribe for her own patients, with the agreement of their GP, and has undertaken specialist training in spirometry, a test for lung function.
"Her increased clinical skills have allowed her to develop pharmacy services in primary care and she now runs four clinics on a weekly basis in different GP practices.
"She also advises on smoking cessation and prescribes nicotine replacement therapy during clinic reviews. Her most recent initiative has been to establish a limited service in Aberdeen's GP homeless practice."
Valerie was one of the first pharmacists to set up clinics in the community in Grampian.
She said: "I feel very strongly that these initiatives from pharmacy will improve patient care and allow pharmacists to contribute more to the health of the local population as part of the whole healthcare team and it is very rewarding and enjoyable. If I can manage it any pharmacist with the right amount of enthusiasm can."
Ends
Notes to editors
A picture of Valerie receiving the award is available. She is pictured with John Beighton, managing director of Teva UK.
NHS Grampian
Corporate Communications Department
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Aberdeen AB25 2ZA
01224 554400