Athboy pharmacist on shortlist for awards

Meath pharmacist Padraic Staunton, from Staunton's Pharmacy in Athboy, has been shortlisted as a nominee in the Helix Health Pharmacist Awards 2011, which recognise pharmacists nationwide for remarkable professional conduct. With over 1,500 community pharmacies in Ireland, shortlisted entries include pharmacists from Cork, Dublin, Westmeath, Kildare, Galway, Meath, Louth and Monaghan. A total of nine awards will be presented on the night of the awards ceremony which will be held in Dublin on Saturday 12th November. Award categories include Excellence in Community Pharmacy, Young Pharmacist of the Year, Pharmacist Contribution to the Community, Practice-based Research Award, Professional Excellence Award, Patient Nominated and Excellence in Hospital Pharmacy. The Overall Pharmacist of the Year Award will be awarded to a winner from these categories and a Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented on the night. Howard Beggs, CEO of Helix Health, said: "The Helix Health Pharmacist Awards are a way of recognising the contribution that pharmacists make to our communities, hospitals and industry nationwide throughout the year. Pharmacists play a vital role in the healthcare system and communities around the country, so it is essential that we recognise the level of skill and professionalism that they bring to the industry." All money raised from this year's awards will go towards The Benevolent Fund Trust of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland which supports those who have been associated with pharmacy and who are now in need of assistance. The funds are put to a wide variety of uses to improve the basic quality of life of those in need. Lack of provision for the inevitable event of retirement, or the unexpected events of being unable to work due to serious illness or premature death of a working spouse, are the primary reasons people need assistance from The Benevolent Fund.