Ms Arikawe, superintendent pharmacist at The Priory Community Pharmacy in Dudley, has been shortlisted in the Excellence in Healthcare category, for her “passion for pharmacy and dedication to improving the quality of health for her patients and community”.

Mr Williams, superintendent at Bedminster Pharmacy in Bristol, is up for the Excellence in Primary Care award for his “innovative delivery of exceptional personalised care”.

The awards recognise NHS staff who “go above and beyond the call of duty to make the NHS a better service”. Entrants have to be nominated by an MP and will be recognised at an event in parliament on July 10.

Ms Arikawe was nominated by Independent Group MP for Dudley North, Ian Austin, and recognised for her multiple C+D Award wins – including being crowned Best of the Best at the 2017 C+D Awards.

Mr Williams, another multi-C+D Award winner, was nominated by Labour MP for Bristol South, Karin Smyth, who described him as “a great example of a pharmacist who really cares about his community”.

“He keeps in touch with GPs to improve services and is always publicising important health campaigns,” she added.

Pharmacy’s unique place

Speaking to C+D this morning (June 24), Mr Williams said recognition at a parliamentary level shows “there is an increasing awareness of the social value of what [pharmacy] does, which goes well beyond just supply”.

Pharmacies have a “unique place” at the heart of local communities, he added.

“If we can be part of people’s lives as well, then it becomes a much more balanced and receptive relationship. You are influential because you are part of the community.”

Mr Williams told C+D he is excited for the ceremony in parliament next month, but he will be ensuring the whole sector is recognised, not only his own team.

“We are helping to tell the story of our colleagues who do great things,” he said. “We are ambassadors for everything community pharmacy does every day.”