Photos above, left and right: © Purpix Photography
When New Yorker Rachel Lehrman moved in to Chorleywood, one of the first people she met was Hitesh Dodhia – and she is really glad she did. Hitesh of Parade Pharmacy not only helped Rachel sort out a stomach upset, but advised on how to deal with it going forward.
“ He suggested I switch from drinking spearmint to peppermint tea and try peppermint oil and a hot water bottle ” says Rachel, “…a small change that definitely made a huge difference.”
One summer Chorleywood resident Leanne Flinn was in Scotland with a friend who suffered sudden abdominal pain, her first thought was to phone Hitesh.
“ All our family trust Hitesh when it comes to our health” says Leanne, “and as usual he recommended a remedy and it worked.”
Hitesh and Rajula stress that although they have expertise and experience and can help with countless minor ailments, they are quick to tell customers when they should see a doctor.
“ We have a wide knowledge of medicine and help maintain the health of the community but we are part of a whole network of healthcare professionals around Chorleywood from physiotherapists and foot specialists to dentists, nurses and GPs, and we point customers in the right direction. We act as a safety mechanism to surgeries and work with local organizations like FOPS (Friends of Prostate Sufferers). As well as dispensing prescriptions we can help patients stop smoking, manage diabetes, heart disease and asthma and teach inhaler use. We offer blood pressure testing, emergency hormonal contraception, flu jabs, anti-malarial product advice, healthy lifestyle advice and so much more. Pharmacies are one of the few healthcare providers who deal with people when they are both unwell and well!”
The Dodhias originated from Kenya and met when they were studying at Bath University.
“We did a three year degree in Pharmacy and a year’s training under a pharmacist. After that we went back to Nairobi.” says Rajula, “ Eight years later we came back to Britain and bought the pharmacy and have been here ever since! The first thing we did was to make it open plan so the pharmacists are more accessible.”
The updating of knowledge never stops at Parade Pharmacy. Emma is now an accredited Pharmacy Technician and like Hitesh and Rajula she is also a stop smoking advisor.
“ We have to carry out Continuous Professional Development to keep up with advances in the medical field. Our staff – Carol, Lindy, Rosemary, Rebecca, Suzi and Helen, are part of the team and have undergone an accredited Medicine Counter Assistant programme, so they all know what they are talking about!”
The Pharmacy service is getting more convenient than ever.
” We are able to pick up prescriptions for people who find it difficult to get to the surgery and can also do repeat dispensing.” adds Hitesh,
“ We can review both prescription and regular over the counter medication but will contact the doctor if any issues arise. From this month we will be one of the pharmacies participating in the New Medicines Services – a patient centred service for certain medical conditions to supplement the advice given when a new medicine is prescribed. If any problem is distressing or embarrassing, there’s a room behind the scenes where we can talk to patients in private. ”
As well as all this, Parade Pharmacy offer a massive choice of medical, disability and incontinence aids as well as health & beauty products, vitamins, minerals, herbal and homeopathic remedies.”
That’s the whole village sorted.
Parade Pharmacy, 18 Main Parade, Chorleywood. 01923 283449
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Parade Pharmacy staff have been busting out some bhangra moves after hours.
Pharmacists Hitesh and Rajula Dodhia with sales assistants Lindy Webb, Carol Sale, Sarah Canvin, Georgie Youngs and Sophie Powell had a ball at a recent Bollywood night in aid of The Peace Hospice at The Langley Banqueting Suite, Watford. They all entered into the true spirit of the event by dressing in Indian style outfits.
“The dance troupe did some demos of the traditional Indian style while we ate” says Hitesh,”then the DJ played English and Hindi music.”
“It was absolutely brilliant” adds Carol, “It’s not the sort of evening you normally go to. Everybody got up and joined in – it was more like a work out, we danced and laughed a lot and the food was excellent.”