Tallaght Pharmacist big winner at Awards-2009 Helix Health Irish Pharmacist Awards recognise Pharmacist Contributions to Community-

Tallaght Pharmacist Tim Delaney was the big winner at the 2009 Helix Health Irish Pharmacist Awards, held at the Mansion House, Dublin, Saturday, 9th May. Tim was the winner of the GlaxoSmithKline Overall Pharmacist of the Year and Ulster Bank Professional Excellence Awards.

Nine awards were presented on the night, recognising professionals from Counties Clare, Dublin, Louth and Mayo who have all demonstrated excellence in their field. The prestigious Teva Patient Nominated Award was given to Donagh Corby from Cork who was recognised for his continuous commitment to his patients, who afforded considerable praise in their nominations.

Speaking at the Awards, Howard Beggs, CEO of Helix Health said, “Tonight’s awards are just a snapshot of the hard work and dedication hundred of pharmacists are demonstrating throughout the country on a daily basis in community, hospital and research settings. Their work compliments that of the GP and in recent years the role of the pharmacist has increasingly become one of advisor, referral and at times friend”.

“The Patient Nominated Award emphasises the sterling work pharmacists are carrying out and most importantly the value of this work to patients and in turn their GPs. It is clear that Donagh Corby’s patients are wholly appreciative of his expertise,” added Mr. Beggs.

Overall Pharmacist of the Year, Tim Delaney said, “It has been a fantastic evening and it is a great honour to receive such commendation from my peers. We all work hard in our communities and I am very pleased that I, and so many of my colleagues have been recognised here tonight”.

Tim, who is Head of Pharmacy at Tallaght Hospital Pharmacy was presented with the two awards in acknowledgment of his work as Head of Pharmacy at The Adelaide and Meath Hospital, Dublin, incorporating the National Children’s Hospital Tallaght.

An adjudicating panel comprised of respected pharmacists from various branches of the pharmacy profession selected the award winners from three short listed entries in each category.

Category: Excellence in Hospital Pharmacy sponsored by Sanofi-Aventis
Criteria: Awarded to a hospital-based pharmacist who devised a new approach that enables pharmacy to be delivered in a manner more beneficial to the public
Winner: Geraldine Colohan, Portiuncula Hospital, Co. Mayo

Category: Excellence in Community Pharmacy sponsored by Helix Health
Criteria: Awarded to a pharmacist whose exceptional professional efforts have enabled community pharmacy services to be delivered in a manner more beneficial to the public.
Winner: Noel Stenson, Achill Island, Co. Mayo

Category: Pharmacist Contribution to the Community sponsored by Hilary Haydon and Company Chartered Accountants
Criteria: Awarded to a pharmacist who has, through involvement in non-pharmacy work in their locality, delivered notable benefits for their community.
Winner: Mary-Jo Duffy, Duffy’s Pharmacy, Ennis, Co. Clare

Category: Young Pharmacist of the Year sponsored by Clonmel Healthcare
Criteria: Awarded to a pharmacist under the age of 30 years whose activities in the course of his/her professional duties and development is judged to be the most commendable.
Winner: Claire Murphy, Unicare Pharmacy, Blackrock, Co. Dublin

Category: Practice Based Research sponsored by Helix Health
Criteria: The Practice-Based Research Award recognises and promotes evidence-based strategies for optimising the delivery of pharmacy services. The entries demonstrated how research has had a measurable impact in terms of improving patient care.
Winner: Bernard Duggan, Dargans Pharmacy, Dublin 7

Category: Patient Nominated sponsored by Teva
Criteria: nominated by patients and members of the public. They were asked to specifically detail why the professional conduct of this pharmacist was remarkable and noteworthy.
Winner: Donagh Corby, Firgrove Pharmacy, Cork

Category: Professional Excellence sponsored by Ulster Bank
Criteria: Open to all pharmacists working in areas other than
community or hospital pharmacy. This included pharmacists working in industry, regulatory bodies the HSE, administration and other roles.
Winner: Tim Delaney, Head of Pharmacy, Tallaght Hospital

Category: Overall Pharmacist of the Year sponsored by GlaxoSmithKline
Criteria: Selected from one of the previous seven winners
Winner: Tim Delaney, Head of Pharmacy, Tallaght Hospital