STAFF at Llanwrtyd Pharmacy have been presented with an award for the care they provide to the community.

Pharmacist manager Rebecca Baker accepted the Johnny Owen Carers Award on behalf of the pharmacy on Thursday, May 2.

The award is presented annually to people in the caring profession by retired businessman Alan Jones, who is originally from Merthyr Tydfil.

James Davies, of Llanwrtyd Town Council, highlighted how richly deserved the recognition was, as the pharmacy was at risk of closure after the late Paul Davies announced he was retiring a little over two years ago.  

Dylan Jones, superintendent pharmacist of HOW Pharm Ltd, agreed to take over the running of the pharmacy after discussions with Powys Teaching Health Board.

OTHER NEWS:

Councillor Peter James stated that the pharmacy not only serves the local area of Llanwrtyd Wells, Llangammarch Wells and Beulah but also wider afield, including Builth Wells.

Rebecca thanked Alan for the award on behalf of the team and the local surrounding communities for supporting the pharmacy.

She said that with increasing demand for GP appointments, Llanwrtyd Pharmacy has increased patient access to free healthcare advice and medication by offering the independent prescribing and common ailment service funded by the NHS for acute medical conditions.  These services are essential for sustaining the future of the pharmacy with medication costs rising and supply difficulties.

The Johnny Owen Carers Award award is in memory of Johnny Owen, the Merthyr-born boxer who, during a boxing match against Lupe Pintor in September 1980, sustained fatal head injuries.

Johnny sadly died as a consequence of his injuries, aged only 24. In recognition of the carers who looked after Johnny prior to his death, his father Dick Owen wanted to donate this award, to mark the excellent care that Johnny received.