A PHARMACIST has scooped a national award for his innovative work at Basingstoke hospital.

Gideon Kotey was presented with a pharmaceutical care award from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, the Pharmaceutical Journal and GlaxoSmithKline at a glittering ceremony at The Savoy hotel in London.

Mr Kotey, from Chineham, is a member of the multi-disciplinary chronic pain team at Basingstoke hospital and won the award for his work in introducing and developing a pharmacist-led outpatient clinic.

He said: "We think we are the first in the country to have a pharmacy-led clinic as part of the pain management team, so it's quite ground-breaking.

"We run two clinics a week. They help us to see more patients and the appropriate patients are seen by the appropriate healthcare professionals.

"I was very happy to get the award and to be leading this from Basingstoke."

His paper about the outpatient clinic will soon be published in the Pharmaceutical Journal.

Mr Kotey works as a critical care and anaesthetist pharmacist and works closely with the doctors on the intensive care and high dependency units at the hospital, as well as the pain clinic, to ensure drugs are used safely and effectively. He advises doctors on which drugs to use, how many and possible side-effects.

Tony Hall, chief pharmacist at Basingstoke hospital, said: "This is a prestigious national award and I am absolutely delighted that the skills of this hospital pharmacist have been recognised.

"Pharmacists are highly-trained health professionals who work closely with the doctors, nurses and other hospital staff in supporting the care of patients." Mr Kotey was presented with a trophy, a certificate and a cheque for £1,000 to be used to attend a conference of his choice.