A BRADFORD pharmacy worker has been recognised at a national awards ceremony after helping someone who had taken an overdose.

Kirby Sowden, pharmacy advisor at Boots at The Broadway, Bradford, was awarded highly commended in the Customer Care Category at the Recognition of Excellence (RoE) Awards.

Prizes were awarded to key healthcare workers for outstanding achievements in community pharmacy.

Returning to the RoE Awards for a second year running, Kirby wowed the judges again with an intervention with a patient who had taken an overdose – most likely saving their life.

After confiding they had taken an overdose, Kirby immediately intervened using her mental health first aid training, getting the patient the support they needed.

She said: “I contacted their GP to let them know to give them extra support.

“They come in now and again and still thank me for being there even though I tell them it’s silly and it’s just my job.”