In the space of two years, new owners Farhad Mehmood and Ather Diab have transformed the fortunes of Bruntsfield Pharmacy, Travel and Health Clinic. The branch is now a patient centred healthcare hub that has made an extraordinary impact on the local community.


The winners of Pharmacy of the Year have ensured prevention and personalised care sits right at the very heart of everything they do and the results have been incredible. Having recognised challenges in accessing timely GP appointments and preventative healthcare services, the pharmacy established community based services which improved access to care, supported early detection, reduced avoidable illness and kept patients healthier for longer.


One of the most impactful programmes was free Health MOT screenings which were offered to new patients and at community settings including schools, churches and libraries. The screenings included blood pressure checks alongside rapid cholesterol and HbA1c screenings using PocDoc and PTS diagnostics finger prick kits which deliver results in under ten minutes.


Last year, the Edinburgh pharmacy carried out more than 400 Health-MOT screenings and as a result, identified over 50 patients who were at risk of cardiovascular disease and/or diabetes. The initiative significantly reduced the NHS burden and minimised life threatening complications through early intervention.


Similarly, the NHS winter vaccination programme demonstrated their commitment to public health, with over 1,700 Flu and Covid vaccines delivered to elderly and vulnerable patients in just four weeks, greatly improving seasonal protection and community wellbeing. Capacity pressures during this time were addressed by converting stock and staff areas into additional consultation rooms, enabling double and triple bookings where appropriate. A separate entrance for vaccination patients was also introduced, maintaining smooth workflow and minimal interruption to core NHS and private services.


Over the past year, Bruntsfield has implemented a wide range of innovative services, positioning the pharmacy as one of Scotland’s most comprehensive private health clinics. Personalised blood panels, STI testing and treatment, allergy and intolerance testing, DNA gender screening in pregnancy and medical cannabis consultation are just a handful of forward thinking services they have put in place.


Alongside this the pharmacy increased appointment capacity and patient uptake through upskilling staff and proactive community outreach campaigns.


To meet rising demand, the pharmacy expanded capacity by constructing two additional consultation rooms, onboarding a full time nurse and upskilling staff to deliver private services, enabling up to three simultaneous appointments to take place at once, increasing availability and reducing waiting times.


To help create more time for these patient services the pharmacy underwent a comprehensive operational redesign. Consultation documentation was fully digitised, electronic questionnaires were introduced via iPads, appointment emails were fully automated and online booking systems were integrated. Collectively this reduced time spent on administrative tasks by 50% and greatly increased clinical capacity without increasing headcount. In the dispensary, barcode driven scan to assemble technology was implemented, not only creating service capacity through improved efficiency, but also adding an additional safety layer.


Commercially the branch has seen significant growth with NHS income rising by an incredible 147% in just 12 months. Revenue from over the counter and private services has also more than doubled.


The pharmacy’s approach is very much rooted in the principle that healthcare goes beyond dispensing prescriptions and in the belief that community pharmacies play a wider role in supporting local wellbeing. The owners have invested significant time in strengthening relationships with local healthcare professionals. They meet regularly with local GP practices, nurses and support staff and discussions cover topics like GLP-1 education, Pharmacy First formulary updates and refreshed guidance on available NHS and private PGD. Their efforts have resulted in appropriate referrals to the pharmacy and has increased referrals for Pharmacy First. In the last 12 months, the number of Pharmacy First consultations carried out by the pharmacy doubled from 400 to 800.


Their approach to spreading awareness extends even further, with collaborations including Specsavers for streamlined eye and ear condition referrals under PGD/Pharmacy First, dentists to promote products for oral health and dental pain and House of Hearing, supporting audiologists with olive oil drops and Otomize/Earcalm for ear infections.


Bruntsfield Pharmacy’s commitment to the community extends beyond healthcare. They raised over £1,000 for terminally ill patients by hosting fundraising events with Marie Curie, partnered with The Hygiene Bank to donate more than £3,000 worth of hygiene essentials to struggling families and also launched a blister pack recycling scheme to support dementia carers.


With a bold vision and relentless dedication, Farhad and Ather have challenged the traditional community pharmacy model. Their pharmacy is a shining example of how community pharmacies can deliver advanced clinical services, improve patient outcomes and play a vital role in community care, successfully strengthening credibility among healthcare practitioners and increasing confidence in pharmacy led care.


"The winners of Pharmacy of the Year have ensured prevention and personalised care sits right at the very heart of everything they do and the results have been incredible..."


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