We caught up with the Pharmacist/Pharmacy Team of the Year Award shortlist ahead of this year’s General Practice Awards ceremony to be held on 6 December at the Novotel London West.

The Chiswick Primary Care Network Pharmacy Team has established itself as a valuable part of the local healthcare landscape, demonstrating the value of pharmacy teams in primary care.

Taking on the challenge of being a new player in the primary care system, the team has driven innovation and made significant contributions to both patient care and staff development.

The Chiswick team’s work has produced measurable improvements in patient outcomes. A prime example is the creation of the ‘BP Club’, an initiative designed to tackle undiagnosed and uncontrolled hypertension. By auditing established practices, gaps in how blood pressure was monitored and managed were identified.

Through personalised invitations, the loaning of BP machines and providing follow-up care, the team successfully improved hypertension detection and management across the patient population. The initiative has now been rolled out to all practices within the primary care network (PCN), with the work reducing GP workloads and empowering patients through education and proactive follow-ups.

The team’s ability to innovate has also been evident in the establishment of a respiratory diagnostic hub for spirometry and COPD care, which serves not just its own PCN but also patients from other networks. In addition, work on standard operating procedures across several clinical areas has been adopted and commended by other PCNs and boroughs.

Education has also been at the heart of the team’s achievements, with the setting up of sessions to encourage shared learning and collaboration across the network. The work has contributed to the overall success of the PCN, not only in achieving targets but also in fostering a cohesive, network-wide team spirit.

Meanwhile, the support given in the implementation of data dashboards for medicines management has improved clarity on performance targets and contributed to better health outcomes for patients.

From regular diabetes clinics to medication reviews and care home support, the Chiswick team has consistently delivered across a broad spectrum of patient needs.

Patients and colleagues alike have shared their appreciation for the team’s work: ‘The ladies who sorted my medication were so helpful and kind, and I can’t express how much better I feel,’ said one patient.

A network colleague observed: ‘Their dedication to improving patient care and services is clear. They never cut corners and believe in quality. I’m very proud to have them as our team.’

The sentiment extends to the team itself. ‘I am incredibly proud of the Chiswick Pharmacy Team and our commitment to collaborative, patient-centred care,' said Poh Long, head of PCN Pharmacy Chiswick. 'Together, we prioritise trust, honesty, and mutual respect, creating a culture of support, care and excellence that drives us to go above and beyond for our patients.’

She added: ‘Being part of a team that values each other and continually strives to enhance patient outcomes and elevate community health is both a privilege and a source of pride. I would especially like to thank my previous clinical director and current clinical directors, for their utmost support, trust and encouragement, without which our journey to success would not have been possible.’