A day in the life of a two-time C+D Award-winner

As superintendent pharmacist of The Priory community pharmacy in Dudley, West Midlands, the secret of Olutayo Arikawe’s success lies in how she runs her routine. Throughout the week, this includes managing health events – including pole dancing classes – as well as team development meetings.

Ms Arikawe is clearly busy – she had to make time during her week off just to talk to C+D. She says meticulous time management, which she learned during her management courses, is key to making sure she and her staff are able to cram in all of their many daily tasks and clinical services.

“I know when to make something a priority,” she tells C+D. “I never allow anything that is important to become urgent, I make sure I deal with it before it gets to a critical stage.” This requires making the most of daily to-do lists, as well as preparing meetings and planning paperwork before the pharmacy opens.

So what does a typical day look like for Ms Arikawe?

8am                   Preparation at home: check emails, and finish off any paperwork from the day before

8.45am              Arrive at pharmacy

9am                   Pharmacy opens

9-10am             Typical pharmacy tasks, such as preparing methadone doses and labelling

10-11am           Team meetings; an opportunity to leave the pharmacy to run sexual health workshops or other public health outreach work

11-2pm             Patient appointments and walk-ins; meetings with other pharmacists

2-2.30pm          Lunch (or monthly 1-2-1 meetings with staff)

2.30-3pm          Check emails; meeting with pharmacy stakeholders

3-4pm               More pharmacy tasks

4-5pm               Training work experience staff, students, pre-registration trainees or apprentices

5-6pm               Sorting through paperwork; prepare for next day

6pm                   Pharmacy closes