Supported by


AWARDS


OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION PAUL KELLY


I


n his citation for the recipient of this year’s Outstanding Contribution accolade, outgoing


Ulster Chemists’ Association (UCA) President, Cliff McElhinney, focused on the long and significant contribution that Paul Kelly MPS has made to the profession and, in fact, continues to do so both as a part- time pharmacists and as an active member of several organisations.


‘Paul,’ Cliff told attendees at the Pharmacy in Focus Awards 2019, ‘has enjoyed many experiences that the sector has to offer, having operated as a locum, a contractor and even as a wholesaler! He has also contributed to the development of the profession through organisations, including the UCA, Pharmaceutical Contractors’ Committee (now CPNI), the Pharmaceutical Society and Northern Pharmacies.


‘He has also earned a reputation for being highly professional, an astute business person, and, above all, a true gentleman: a person who encourages others to both contribute and to lead. For the past 50 years, he has been heavily involved in the development of both pharmacy in general and pharmacists in particular.’


Paul Kelly joined the register in 1969 – an amazing 50 years ago. He gradually worked his way up through the profession before making the transition to pharmacy contractor; building up a strong pharmacy business with five branches in the belfast area.


Paul provided a valuable pharmaceutical service to patients in an economically-deprived area of the city during very difficult times in Northern Ireland; delivering a level of service above and beyond the normal duty of care to a community in the midst of curfew restrictions and


46 - PHARMACY IN FOCUS


general civil unrest. The Troubles would - unfortunately - directly impact on Paul and his staff in the most tragic way, with one of his valued employees losing her life while doing her job.


In the early 80s, Paul - along with a group of like-minded pharmacists who were responding to wholesaling problems - worked tirelessly to encourage fellow pharmacists across Northern Ireland to buy out the belfast branch of Sangers. As a result, Sangers (NI) was set up with Paul serving as Vice- Chairman and the wholesaler operation thrived in Northern Ireland to the benefit of all contractors.


Paul has always supported sector development including the adoption of new technology, encouraging Sangers to bring in a computer system for accepting orders, which, up until that point, had been given over the phone.


His business knowledge was also called into service when he served on the Council of the Pharmaceutical Society as Treasurer, providing a high level of business acumen and astute financial governance.


As a highly-motivated member of the UCA, Paul displayed great enthusiasm for the organisation. He actively sought to inform and support all UCA members in as many areas as possible and to encourage others to contribute to the running of the organisation, bringing in no fewer than six new committee members in his President’s year.


‘Paul,’ Cliff continued, ‘played a significant role in cementing business relationships between contractors and wholesalers. Indeed, one of his best attributes is his commitment to building relationships and


Stuart Kearney, Account Manager, Community Pharmacy, EMIS Health and Paul Kelly MPS, recipient of Outstanding Contribution to Pharmacy


‘Paul has consistently pushed for the improvement of quality of service provided by the pharmacy profession and has unflinchingly supported pharmacists to enable them to give their best’


encouraging others. At a speech celebrating pharmacists’ 50 years on the register, Mike Mawhinney, who many of you will know, spoke of how, as a young pharmacist starting out on his career with the Central Services Agency, Paul was very kind to him. Mike says that Paul took the extra step to make him feel comfortable and at ease at various events and functions: an open and generous gesture that helped cement good relations going forward.


Others have echoed that sentiment, remarking how Paul has a great capacity to listen to all viewpoints within the profession. He has


encouraged pharmacists to interact more with other members of the business community, ever mindful of the demands of providing a pharmaceutical service to patients.


‘Paul has consistently pushed for the improvement of quality of service provided by the pharmacy profession and has unflinchingly supported pharmacists to enable them to give their best.


‘His focus is always on the support of pharmacists coming through the profession and the development of excellent pharmacists and future leaders of the profession.'


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