A little history!
Alison registered as a pharmacist in 1984 (reg. 77864) having obtained an honours degree from the Leicester school of pharmacy and completing her preregistration requirements at Llandough hospital (and being seconded to St David’s, St Mary’s and the Heath) Deciding that hospital pharmacy was not her “bag” a short spell in community locums made her realise that this could be the path of the profession she would enjoy.
After a short managerial period she bought her first pharmacy in Ystalyfera in 1988. In 1992 she bought the pharmacy at Briton Ferry Rd owned by Mr Derek Fisher- a pharmacy that she visited as a child.
Owning 2 pharmacies and the onset of a Masters Degree and a thesis on self-care and medicine use. The sale of Ystalyfera led to full concentration on the Neath branch and after some expansion the move to the current premises in 2003.
Alison has twice reached the finals of “Welsh Woman of the Year” and juggled various other commitments and is currently a board member of Neath Port Talbot local health board and a director of the Melincryddan community conference.
BUSINESS HISTORY AND MISSION STATEMENT
The Staff!
Staff development and training are also a high priority, having been recognised as achieving the national standard of “Investors in People” in 2000- the first independent pharmacy in Wales to do so. In 2004 the pharmacy was also a Welsh finalist in the British Small Business Champions awards organised by the federation of small business www.fsb.co.uk/general/bsbc/bsbc2004/wales/medicine.asp recognising its determination in becoming vital health service in the local community
Wendy Michael (Dispensary Manager) is the local monument having worked in the pharmacy since the age of 16. Wendy has made great strides recently in achieving checking technician status and being registered with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.
Yvonne Greaves is another old-timer (PHARMACY YEARS ONLY!) having worked with Alison as a dispenser at the Ystalyfera pharmacy and now branching into the health services we offer. Yvonne was a former national finalist in the Pharmacy Assistant of the Year
Barbara Gill is from Port Talbot- but we’ve allowed her in! A bubbly personality Babs has been with the company since 1999 and is currently working her way towards her dispensing technician qualification (NVQ3) and is our Clinical Governance Lead.
Judith Trick is our deliveries manager. Hailing from Skewen Jude has been with us now since 2001 and is a very valuable member of the team with all the insider knowledge on the customers we deliver to!
Lee Hoskins is our freshest face in the dispensary and like Babs is currently working towards her NVQ level 3 as a dispensing technician. Lee who hails from Skewen is our Customer Service Champion.
Chris Hopkins, also a new recruit in 2007, is our driver with a good line in jokes- keeps everyone smiling! Also husband of local Briton Ferry music teacher Irene Hopkins.
