NEWS


aSk yOUR PhaRmacISt (ayP) wEEk 7-14 NOVEmBER 2016


this year’s ask your Pharmacist week will take place 7-14 November, with the theme more than medicines.


ayP week, which is organised by the National Pharmacy association (NPa), provides a platform for pharmacy public awareness activities across the Uk.It also serves as a prompt for conversations with key stakeholders at a local level about community pharmacy services.


activities taking place during ayP typically include: • Visits by mayors and mPs to pharmacies


• Public exhibitions (in libraries, shopping centres, sporting venues and town halls)


• Pharmacists on local radio and columns in local newspapers


• window posters on display in independent pharmacies


• Pharmacists presenting to local community groups


• clinical commissioning groups, pharmacy students, health charities and others supporting the week on social media – all encouraging people to make more and better use of their local pharmacies.


'this year,' said NPa head of communications, Stephen fishwick, 'the NPa intends to put a fresh gloss on last year’s successful medicines and more campaign.In particular, we will raise the bar on previous ayP campaigns in terms of the digital assets to support the initiative. Social media will play a bigger part than in years past. the theme is deliberately broad, to give maximum flexibility for pharmacies and pharmacy stakeholders to focus on local priorities.'


NPa members will be able to access posters, template social media posts, infographics, video assets, template local newspaper columns, PowerPoint presentations, talk notes for community talks and other resources. Other supporters of the initiative, such as local Pharmaceutical committees, will also have access to relevant campaign resources, including materials for public exhibitions.


6 - PhaRmacy IN fOcUS


mENtal hEalth camPaIgN: a fEw wORdS caN BE lIfE chaNgINg


health minister, michelle O'Neill mla


association for mental health (NIamh) and supported by the Public health agency (Pha) and comic Relief.


asking, listening and talking to someone with a mental health problem can be the start of their road to recovery.


that was the message from health minister, michelle O’Neill, as she launched a new media campaign to encourage the public to offer support to those who may be struggling with their mental health.


launched recently on world mental health day, the campaign ‘helping Others’ will use tV, radio, digital and outdoor advertising, and focuses on how people can support family or friends to deal with a mental health problem.


'It is important that society is open about discussing mental health,' the health minister said, 'and that people are willing to talk to their friends and family if they feel concerned about their mental health.


'for many people, being able to talk to someone they trust about how they are feeling could be the first step towards recovery.'


‘helping Others’ is part of the wider ‘change your mind’ campaign which aims to reduce levels of stigma, discrimination and negative attitudes towards people who experience mental ill-health. the ‘change your mind’ campaign is led by the NI


'One in five of us at any one time will show signs of a mental health problem,' added mary Black, assistant director of health and Social wellbeing Improvement with the Pha. 'the other four will know a friend, family member or colleague who will be experiencing mental ill- health, so this is an issue that affects us all in some way. People in the north of Ireland are generally sympathetic to mental health issues, but there is a reluctance to start and then hold the conversation about mental health issues. through this campaign, we want to encourage the public to take that step and start a conversation with someone they are worried about. People may feel uncomfortable about starting the conversation or may not know what to say, so this campaign will include resources such as a leaflet and website, which give tips on asking, listening and talking about mental health and maintaining that important conversation.'


for further information on the campaign, visit www.changeyourmindni.org


EaRly SUccESS fOR INNOVatIVE cOmPaNy!


locate a locum, the company that helps pharmacies source locums online, recently tasted success when it won its category - creative & consumer Internet - at the INVENt awards, which were held in Belfast.


formed in 2013 by pharmacist, jonathon clarke, and graphic and website designer, michael Budden, the site now has 500 pharmacists registered and, earlier this year, signed up Rowlands Pharmacy, the third largest pharmacy chain in the Uk.


the site has become so established, in fact, that English pharmacies are now using it to recruit temporary pharmacists from Northern Ireland to provide cover for weeks and months. well done guys!


michael Budden (left) and jonathon clarke receive their award from deodatta deshpande from aepona.


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