A PHARMACIST from Upper Street has won a national award for her work.

Julie Hatton, 58, from Rose Pharmacy in Highbury won the award from Training Matters magazine, a pharmacy trade publication, for her work advising people on how to make healthy choices in their lives.

Ms Hatton, from New North Road, De Beauvoir has worked at Rose Pharmacy for 24 years. She said she was “absolutely chuffed” with the award, given to her earlier this month at the Recognition of Excellence Awards, held at the House of Lords, for those who make an outstanding contribution to the world of community pharmacy.

Remembering the day she first got the job, she said: “I used to work up Chapel Market first in a chemist. I just wanted a part time job because I had three kids and I absolutely loved it. He decided to sell up and go online and so I went out looking for another job.

“This chemist used to be on St Paul’s Road, so I tried in there and the lady said ‘he’s not in today’. But he called on the Friday and I started on the Monday. It was a quick job interview! It’s great. I love it. That’s why I’m still here. It’s a proper part of the community, I love all the customers, the pensioners, the kids – they’ve grown up and had kids now. And it’s local so I don’t have to commute.”

Before she was told she had won the award, she was on a shortlist of three, and her daughter Victoria assured her she was “a winner anyway”.

“She asked me if I would get upset if I didn’t win, and I said ‘of course I will,’ but I did win!”

Ms Hatton was nominated by the managing pharmacist Subs Vyas for going beyond the call of duty to make every customer feel special and cared for.

One of the judges commented: “Julie embodies commitment and dedication to customer care and community service.

“With over two decades of experience, Julie’s expertise goes way beyond medication dispensing, as she offers compassionate support and guidance to patients in need.”