A STRETFORD pharmacist is taking revolutionary steps to make sure her patients have the most seamless and stress-free experience possible.

Owned and run by Stretford businesswoman Alpa Ghelani, Alphabet Pharmacy’s aim is to make collection and delivery service from GP surgeries ‘as easy as a,b,c’.

As well as offering consultations over the phone and via email, the tech-savvy pharmacy is one step ahead of the competition, offering Skype or Facetime consultations too.

Alpa said: “I chose to use Skype and Facetime as I think it's important for patients to know who they're talking to and it gives the feeling of a personal consultation that you would get if you were to actually go into a pharmacy and see the pharmacist.

“Also, if patients have symptoms such as a rash, it'd be easier for them to be able to show me rather than just describing it.

“We can deliver any non-prescription pharmaceutical products, from vitamins and paracetamol to blood pressure monitors or diabetes testing machines.

“We've had a good response so far and word is slowly spreading so we're getting busier.”

Alpa has been a pharmacist for more than 15 years, having previously been a manager for a large multiple pharmacy, and more recently a locum pharmacist.

She said setting up Alphabet Pharmacy, which is based in Derbyshire Lane West, ‘has been a dream come true’.

As well as embracing technology, Alpa has gone to great lengths to fit around the busy working lives of her patients or to help those too unwell to make a trip to the pharmacy.

“Getting to a pharmacy isn’t always as easy as it sounds,” she added.

“Many people have difficulties getting out for health reasons, or because they work full time.

“Alphabet Pharmacy will order, collect and deliver to patients either at home or at work. This means those working in areas like Trafford Park, where there is no pharmacy available, can have their prescriptions delivered to them.

“In addition to providing the delivery of prescription medication, Alphabet Pharmacy can also deliver non-prescription items patients may require. Parents with young children may find this particularly useful, as well as carers who cannot get their patients to a pharmacy.”

For further information visit alphabetpharmacy.co.uk, call Alphabet Pharmacy on 0161 864 3316, or just pop into the Nisa store next door to the pharmacy to collect a leaflet.