NEWS


PharmacISt SaYS thanK YoU


now, thankfully recovered from his 6 april ordeal, pharmacist Paul mcdonagh, takes this opportunity to thank those, who provided support and assistance in the wake of the attack.


‘first of all, I’d like to thank adrienne clugston of the Uca, who, on hearing of the attack that day, came straight to the shop and provided advice to our staff.


‘the whole of the Uca committee, gerard green from cPnI, as well as other board members, such as michael guerin and John clarke, were also very supportive.


‘terry maguire – and indeed all of our West belfast colleagues - not only provided kind words of support, but also helped out on a practical level.


‘our customers inundated us with cards, flowers and offers of help.


‘the other professional bodies, such as Pharmacy forum, the PSnI and Joe brogan from the health & Social care board, were invaluable in terms of support, while the bSo obliged us with late return of the month’s prescriptions.


‘Quite a few mLas called in or contacted us to offer help.


‘Pharmacy mutual, were constantly in contact to ensure that the payment process was smooth and speedy, ensuring that we were not inconvenienced in any way.


‘my staff were worth their weight in gold, particularly since they came in and tidied up the aftermath of an absolute nightmare.


‘Lastly, I’d like to thank Peter Wright, who, despite being injured himself, came into the pharmacy to help me while I had to take time off. a true friend and colleague.


‘I’d like to thank all of those mentioned for the care and support that they provided at the time – and continue to do so. thank you.’


4 - PharmacY In focUS


Pharmacies across northern Ireland are once again working to help raise funds for SoS bus - a charity, which works each weekend on the streets of belfast, caring for young people in crisis.


now in its tenth year of operation, SoS volunteers have interacted with almost 330,000 people on the streets of belfast, with more than 9,000 people provided with acute medical or welfare care.


PharmacIStS arE gatEWaY to SUPPort for carErS


more than 40 community pharmacists across the South Eastern health and Social care trust have signed up to take part in an innovative new partnership scheme, which has just been launched across the South Eastern Local commissioning group area.


the community Pharmacy carers Support Service encourages pharmacists to identify people looking after someone with an illness, disability, or who is frail due to being older. the pharmacist will then refer the carer, with their consent, on to the trust’s carers Support Service. once referred, carers will be able to access the valuable support available to them, support of which they would previously have been unaware.


the pilot initiative was created in partnership with the South Eastern Local commissioning group and South Eastern Integrated care Partnerships (IcPs), which brought together the community pharmacists and other healthcare professionals, as well as voluntary and community representatives and service users and carers, all vital for designing an effective new service.


Joan Scott from SEHSCT (second left) with (l-r): Philip Boyle,


Crossgar; Joanne McMullan,


Poraferry; and


Patricia Finnegan, Newtownards.


'on a daily basis,' said Louise Seymour, pharmacist with the South Eastern Local commissioning group, 'ten per cent of the population will visit a community pharmacy, so it’s a good place to identify members of the community who are caring for others and need some support themselves. We need carers who are well to stay well and the community Pharmacy carers Support Service helps identify these carers to ensure they can receive the help they need.’


ards IcP committee member and fellow pharmacist Patricia finnegan said pharmacists are well placed to offer this service.


'We see the difficulties faced by carers first hand on a daily basis,' Patricia said. 'carers can trust the pharmacist to deal with them in a confidential and empathetic manner. this pharmacy service will make access to support easier for carers to enable them to continue to care for their loved ones, while maintaining their own health and wellbeing.'


too manY YoUng LIvES LoSt!


Last year, during alcohol awareness Week 2016, SoS nI partnered with the pharmacies across the province with the support of the Ulster chemists' association (Uca) to run a fundraising and information campaign highlighting the dangers of drug and alcohol misuse.


this year’s campaign will be held in august and aims to once again promote local pharmacies in their drive to improve health around alcohol and drug consumption, as well as informing their customers of the services that SoS bus provides.


a specific fundraising campaign will begin on 14 august to raise much- needed funds.


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