A Stratford pharmacist is celebrating after reaching the finals of a national competition.

Ravi Sharma, 26, a practice pharmacist at Vicarage Health Centre has been selected as a regional finalist in the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s I Love My Pharmacist competition.

Mr Sharma who has worked at the health centre in Vicarage Lane for two years has been recognised for providing an outstanding service to the local community.

He said: “It is a real honour to be selected in the I Love My Pharmacist competition and to know I have had a positive impact on the public’s health and wellbeing.

“I am looking forward to my new position as a partner in a GP practice from October 2015. I will be able to develop the practice going forward, as well as continuing to improve patient care to the best of my ability.” The pharmacist has started a project called Bringing care closer to home.

The initiative sees Mr Sharma visit about 200 patients per week in their own homes and face-to-face in the GP practice, conducting medicine reviews, risk assessments and other health evaluations.

Neal Patel, pharmacist and Head of Corporate Communications at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society said: “Pharmacists are an integral part of every local health service.

“Having access to expert, personalised advice on their doorstep is invaluable; pharmacists also support patients in settings including hospitals and GP practices. We want to celebrate the important role pharmacists play across the NHS.

“Ravi has demonstrated a high level of personalised care and commitment to serving his patients and the panel are delighted that he has been nominated as a regional finalist for London and Kent.”

Altogether, there are 18 shortlisted finalists. The regional winners will be announced on October 13 and the overall I Love My Pharmacist champion will be named on November 3.

To vote for Mr Sharma as the regional winner visit ilovemypharmacist.co.uk by September 29.