How to prevent Type 2 diabetes: Cleckheaton pharmacist close to achieving another significant milestone

Fatima Fakech fulfilled a lifelong dream three and a half years ago by opening her very own pharmacy - Advanced Care Pharmacy - at the town’s bus station.

Now, the 44-year-old, who arrived in the country with “only a few English words”, is nearing the end of a PhD in how to prevent Type 2 diabetes.

“I feel very proud of myself and very, very pleased,” she told the Reporter Series. “My next dream is to get some funding from the NHS and get some commissioned services to prevent Type 2 diabetes in all local communities.

“In the future, I would like to use my knowledge to work with communities on how to prevent it and run workshops in our area.

“Hopefully this PhD and workshops will help the NHS, there will be less complications, less admissions to hospitals, and it will hopefully help patient care.”

The Reporter Series covered the opening of Fatima’s new venture in March 2023 and she admitted that starting any fresh business is “very hard work.”

However, Advanced Care Pharmacy has a 4.9 star rating out of 5 on Google reviews.

“It is one of the highest rated pharmacies and I am very proud of that,” she revealed. “It’s been a lot of hard work, commitment and dedication from me and my staff.”

The pharmacy offers a range of services, including free prescription delivery, dispensing NHS repeat prescriptions, emergency medicine supply, and blood pressure checks.

It has been a remarkable journey for Fatima, who moved to England with her husband, and biggest supporter, Mohammad Jesry.

She began her education in the UK at the age of 19, completing her pre-GCSEs, then her actual GCSEs, before gaining two As and one B in her A-levels.

In 2009 Fatima was accepted into Huddersfield University to study Pharmacy, graduating in 2014 with a master’s degree. She then went on to study for a Diploma in clinical pharmacy and prescribing at Bradford University. This was followed by further study at the University of Leeds before opening Advanced Care Pharmacy just 22 years after moving to the country.

She has also had years of experience working both as an advanced clinical practitioner in GP surgeries, as well as a community pharmacist with Boots.

On her husband’s impact on her life, Fatima said: “Without my husband’s support, I would not be here. He has supported me a lot. When I came here I was 19, pregnant, and in a completely different country. I have worked hard and had to be patient but he is very supportive.”

The couple have three children, Fadel, Zena and Omar, who all work for the NHS.

“When I came to this country I did not expect this at all,” she admitted. “But, as a family, education is very important for us.”

And the finish line of Fatima’s latest educational milestone is in sight with her doctoral degree (PhD) in diabetes about three months away from completion.

For more information on Advanced Care Pharmacy and its services visit: https://advancedcarepharmacy.co.uk/services