and development of new services, that is where the UCA helps me. I want to be part of a forward thinking organisation that is looking forward and is constantly looking to represent me, pharmacy and pharmacy employees.”


In thanking the Pharmacy in Focus main event and partner sponsors he added, “I would like to thank the fantastic UCA executive committee for all their hard work, guidance, and patience helping a newbie like me! Adrienne, in the UCA office has been wonderful with her advice and hard work behind the scenes. Along with Mairead, Natalie, Lyndsey, Danny and Katie they are a formidable team!


“My wife, Oonagh, who so often holds the fort in Urban Pharmacy while I drink coffee and talk a lot at meetings (allegedly), thank you. I hope this mention also makes up for my failure to mention you in my wedding speech 20 years ago.


“And finally to all the staff at Profile Publishing for their amazing organisational skills making this evening possible.”


Dr Terry Maguire presented the Outstanding Contribution Award to Loretto McManus of Erne Pharmacy in Enniskillen. Giving her citation pre announcing her as the recipient, Dr Maguire said,


“Tonight, I have the considerable honour and rare privilege to make the citation for the Northern Ireland Pharmacy in Focus Award for Outstanding Contribution to Community Pharmacy. This year, the Ulster Chemists’ Association recognises a pharmacist who has


dedicated their career not only to pharmacy and its practice but also to the profession and its development and the local community and their health and well-being.


“Qualified with a BSc from Queens this pharmacist joined the register in 1978. This is now their 38th year working as a community pharmacist which makes them even older than me and clearly bonkers for still insisting on going to work every day.


“As a student Queens was a very different place back in the 1970s when each year had only 30 students. The School of Pharmacy had just relocated from the Belfast College of Technology, to the MBC and students studied archaic subjects such as 'Pharmacognosy' which most pharmacists wouldn’t know.


“Studying at the MBC site in those days brought together pharmacy and medical students in joint physiology lectures in the early years of their respective degree course. The advantages of this early collaboration was less to do with inter professional collaboration in later careers and more to do with getting someone to sign you into the late night bar at the City Hospital.


“Pharmacy was determined to become a recognised member of the 'Healthcare team' way back then.


“Our recipient tonight has been; passionate, dedicated and innovative having been involved in a many and varied projects with Building the Community Pharmacy Partnership (BCPP) and Co-operation and Working Together (CAWT) and Women’s Aid, in areas as diverse as: diabetes, mental


“Tis annual event is always very popular in the pharmacy social calendar. It highlights and celebrates the high standard of pharmaceutical care that community pharmacy in Northern Ireland affords the general public and the department of health and social care.


health, having a healthy pregnancy and violence. All this work demonstrates an exceptional commitment and dedication to the local community.


“Service development is also a key activity. Delivering a successful helicobacter testing programme which was rolled out in the Western LCG area is down the tenacity and focus of this exceptional pharmacist.


“A Pre-registration tutor for many years has allowed a family of pre- registration students to benefitted from an extensive body knowledge and experience in community pharmacy and for that they all express the extreme satisfaction and gratitude.


“When commissioning was revolutionised in 2007 and Local Commissioning Groups were formed, this pharmacist had no hesitation in stepping forward to represent local pharmacists and over the years has done this with panache and not a little style. Pharmacy is grateful for all the hard work done in this thankless role and I certainly know how thankless it can be.


“Over the past 38 years, our winner’s passion for pharmacy, the patient and the community has not diminished. I am sure you will join me in congratulating Loretto McManus of Erne Pharmacy, Enniskillen, on receiving this accolade.”


This year the Pharmacy in Focus Awards raised much needed funds for the extremely worthwhile charity, AgeNI. There were some great prizes up for grabs, including a weekend driving a prestigious Jaguar. Over £3440 was raised from the prize draw.


Turn to the following pages for details of all the winners on the night.


pharmacyinfocus.co.uk 15


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