Meet the Winners

"Finding the time to put your entry together can be difficult, but the rewards have made it so worthwhile."

Winning the 2008 AAH pharmacy technician of the year, supply chain award, gave me a fantastic sense of achievement. It was great to be able to my project on medical gases and share best practice both at national and local level. I presented my project at the APTUK National Conference. My manager was invited to the weekend too and as a result of hearing about the homecare project by the clinical award winner, he offered me a new project – to improve the processing and administration related to homecare provision within the trust! I was excited to take on a new challenge and whilst reflecting on my learning needs in relation to the project, I was able to decide how to spend my prize bursary. I spent three full on days learning about the LEAN awareness, value stream mapping, problem solving and team building. It is a rare opportunity to have such a sum to spend on your own choice of study! The techniques I learnt applied to many different industries but are vital to reducing waste, so hopefully I will be able to identify further savings.

The experience also boosted my confidence in my skills, having returned to work part time after a seven year career break. My family were so proud and really boosted my father's moral at a time when he was very ill. Yes, finding the time to put your entry together can be difficult, but the rewards have made it so worthwhile. So I would encourage you all to enter, you could be newly qualified or very experienced, and work in small or large of organisation – sharing your experience will benefit others.

Diane Meech
Winner in 2008