Community awards for pharmacy and good neighbour scheme

Staff at Motts Pharmacy and the Reepham Good Neighbour Scheme (RGNS) received Norfolk Community Pharmacy Awards 2021 for their work during the Covid-19 pandemic.
 

Left to right: Tony Dean, chief officer, Norfolk Local Pharmaceutical Committee; Joy Pickering, Reepham Good Neighbour Scheme; and Guppy Kular, Motts Pharmacy.

 
The pharmacy in Market Place, Reepham, received the Pharmacy Team Award while the RGNS received the Community Hero Award, presented by Tony Dean, chief officer, and Charlotte Bowles, support officer, of the Norfolk Local Pharmaceutical Committee (LPC).
 
Last autumn, the Norfolk LPC invited pharmacy teams across the county to nominate their colleagues and communities for a Community Pharmacy Award in recognition of the extraordinary support delivered during an exceptional period of pressure on NHS services.
 
The LPC recognised that all teams in Norfolk went above and beyond expectations during a difficult few years, and this was an opportunity to share their achievements and take pride in local communities.
 
Lauren Seamons, deputy chief officer, said: “Congratulations to our prize winner and to all the pharmacy teams who have continued to deliver face-to-face services  throughout these challenging times. We are proud to represent you.”
 
The Motts Pharmacy team “worked continuously throughout the pandemic, adjusting to patient needs, carrying out voluntary deliveries and even offering to sacrifice wages in order to get through Covid-19,” said pharmacy owner Guppy Kular. “None of them took a single day off in sickness and made every effort to keep themselves and customers safe.”
 
Meanwhile, the RGNS was at the forefront in helping the local community when the pandemic struck and has continued to provide vital services as needs have evolved.
 
A dedicated telephone line was established, dozens of volunteers recruited, and teams set up to support many of the most vulnerable people in and around Reepham, with befriending and deliveries of food and prescriptions.
 
“This organisation responded immediately to Motts Pharmacy’s plea for volunteers before the government got its act together,” said Mr Kular. “They arranged twice-daily deliveries for shielding and vulnerable patients in Reepham and the surrounding area.
 
“Volunteers, some of whom had lost their jobs or had been furloughed, spent their own money on fuel to help their community at a time when they were unsure of their own future. This carried on for many months without a break or any reluctance to help.
 
“We are very grateful to the Reepham Good Neighbour Scheme for coming to the rescue at a time of great need. Thank you for all you did for us.”
 
See our earlier story:

 

Left to right: Tony Dean, chief officer, Norfolk Local Pharmaceutical Committee, with Motts Pharmacy staff Maria McDowall, Linda Davies and pharmacist Guppy Kular.

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