About Monkbar Pharmacy

Paul

Paul grew up just outside York and qualified as a pharmacist from The University of Bradford in 2005. He has always had a passion for community pharmacy and stayed in the sector, initially as a locum working for many different pharmacies around the country. He managed a challenging pharmacy in a large supermarket chain for several years before realising that his passion for patient centred care over profits would be better achieved by opening his own pharmacy.

Paul had been friends with Neil for many years and together they dreamed of a pharmacy where they could put the customer first and provide outstanding service where both customers and staff knew that they were cared for.

Paul and Neil opened Monkbar Pharmacy in 2012. Paul is married to Vikki (our manager), has 3 children and lives in York. When he isn’t found in the pharmacy he can be found cycling around the beautiful countryside and playing with his children.

Neil

Neil grew up in Cumbria and qualified as pharmacist from The University of Sunderland in 2001. He has always had a passion for community pharmacy and stayed in the sector after graduating. He has worked for a large national high street as a pharmacy manager and also in a supermarket pharmacy. He spent time working in different pharmacies as a locum too.

Neil and Paul had known each other socially for many years and also worked together and shared a desire to offer unrivalled and caring customer service over profits. The best way to be able to offer this was to open their own pharmacy. In 2012, after years of preparation, they opened Monkbar Pharmacy with the aim of being the most helpful pharmacy in York.

Neil is married, has 2 small children and lives in York. When he isn’t found in the pharmacy he can be found cycling long distances on one of his many bikes, playing with his children and making frequent trips back to his beloved Cumbria.

Vikki

Vikki grew up in Devon and qualified as a pharmacist from The University of Bradford in 2005. She worked as pharmacist in NHS hospitals around the country and, for a time, trained other healthcare professionals during a stint at Leeds University. She gained post graduate qualifications and lots of experience before making the switch to managing Monkbar Pharmacy in 2018 after returning to work following the birth of her third child.

Vikki is passionate about collaborating with other healthcare, social care and voluntary organisations to develop innovative services and ensure the very best care for all of our customers. As such she represents community pharmacists in York on the York Healthcare Collaborative and is the Lead Pharmacist for York Medical Group Primary Care Network. She has also worked on national projects and presented with the National Pharmacy Association.

When Vikki isn’t managing the pharmacy and playing with her children, she enjoys going for long walks, listening to music and is determined to learn to play the piano! She lives in York with her husband, Paul (one of the Directors) and her three young children.

Sarah

Sarah grew up in York and started working in pharmacy whilst living in Harrogate in 2005. She returned to live in York in 2015 and that’s when she joined the Monkbar Pharmacy team. She started out working on the pharmacy counter before taking up the role of Supervisor in 2017. Sarah is the centre of the pharmacy team, co-ordinating the day to day running of the pharmacy and promoting the Monkbar Pharmacy ethos of putting the customer at the centre of everything we do. Together with her team they ensure a fast, efficient and friendly service. Sarah is also our Safeguarding Lead, ensuring the safety of our vulnerable customers which corresponds well with her volunteer work outside of her pharmacy role.

Sarah lives in York with her partner and dog. When she isn’t in the pharmacy, she enjoys attending gigs and walking her dog.

Nathan

Nathan graduated from the University of Reading in 2014. After qualifying as a pharmacist in 2015, he worked as the main pharmacist in Lloyds Pharmacy in Salisbury. He then became the manager of Lloyds Pharmacy in Tolworth for 3 years before managing an independent pharmacy where he helped to set up a travel clinic and Hepatitis C test and treatment service.

Since moving to York, Nathan has increased the number of services that Monkbar Pharmacy offers benefitting the people of York including treatment for Urinary Tract Infections, Outer Ear Infections, and Sore Throat Swabs and Treatment increasing patient access and reducing GP workload. He is passionate about the Monkbar patient-centred approach, he loves talking to patients about their medications and how to get the most out of them.

When not working in the pharmacy, Nathan and his wife enjoy long walks in the North York Moors. He enjoys competing in triathlons and playing the cello.