Consultant pharmacist Heather Smith has been awarded the Royal College of Pharmacy’s (RCPharm) Barnett Award. 

Announced today, the college said Smith was named this year’s winner “in recognition of her outstanding commitment to mentoring pharmacy professionals and supporting their professional development”. 

Smith is a consultant pharmacist for older people at West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board. 

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RCPharm said she has helped pharmacists throughout her career to build their clinical expertise, confidence, research and leadership skills, while simultaneously advancing medicines optimisation for older people. 

The Barnett Award was established in memory of Professor Nina Barnett, who died in 2023. 

The college said it is awarded to RCPharm members who have made “outstanding contributions to the development of the profession and have dedicated their careers to supporting, mentoring and advancing others”. 

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It said one of Smith’s “most significant achievements” has been establishing a peer support group for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians working across primary care, community services and care homes in Leeds. 

“The group has been running for more than ten years, providing a forum for pharmacists to discuss complex cases, reflect on clinical decisions and learn from one another,” RCPharm said. 

It added that Smith has also helped develop a toolkit to enable other regions to establish similar groups. 

“An absolute honour” 

Smith said it was “an absolute honour” to receive the award. 

“Nina [Barnett] was so inspiring and I learnt so much from her, as did so many colleagues,” Smith said. “Amongst other things, Nina inspired me to complete a formal coaching qualification.” 

She added that coaching, mentoring and educating others has brought her “so much joy” throughout her career. 

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RCPharm director of education Louise Goldring said Smith has made “a real difference” to pharmacists. 

“From setting up peer support groups to mentoring pharmacists working towards consultant roles, she has helped colleagues build their confidence, develop their skills and progress in their careers,” Goldring added. 

Smith will be invited to receive her award in person among fellow RCPharm awards and medal recipients at the college’s annual conference on November 6. 

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It comes after RCPharm appointed its inaugural cohort of fellows in August. 

And it follows the college cutting ties with Israeli drug company Teva earlier this month ahead of its annual conference next week.