Dr Terry Maguire


Ulster Chemists’ Association President, Cliff McElhinney


Outstanding Contribution to


Pharmacy recipient, Sheelin McKeagney


‘I had looked around the room and realised I was among so many superb professionals, who give so much to their local communities. to be standing before them, receiving this accolade, has made me even more proud of both my pharmacy colleagues and my profession.’


northern Ireland would, however, only be able to follow suit when the Stormont executive is back up and running, he warned.


after beginning on this very positive note, which is great news for both pharmacists and patient safety, cliff turned his attention to a less ‘good news’ story: the attack on pharmacists Paul Mcdonagh and Peter Wright in west Belfast in april of last year.


‘the increase,’ cliff said, ‘in violent attacks in community pharmacy was graphically highlighted last year with the armed robbery and stabbing of two pharmacists. the event becomes even more shocking when, as in such a tightly knit pharmacy community in northern Ireland, you know those involved personally. Indeed, not so long ago Paul was in my position delivering his speech as Uca president. thankfully, in this case, both pharmacists and staff at the pharmacy made a full recovery. ‘community pharmacy is now the heartbeat of our main streets and towns and villages. dispensing prescriptions, advice and delivering a host of services to the public. We should be able to do so without fear of attack, either physical or verbal.


‘the incident at Mcdonagh’s was just one of many drug-related incidents in pharmacy this year. It is a symptom of a much wider problem in society and that problem is prescription drug abuse. the problem is rampant in many of our localities and it frequently arrives at the door of community pharmacy.


‘the worrying trend of increased violence at the pharmacy, my own included, makes it the responsibility of all to find a solution, but first we must protect our frontline services.


‘Pharmacy alone cannot solve the drug abuse problem, but we must be involved in looking for a solution along with the department of health and a Stormont executive. the Uca, along with Pharmacy forum and community Pharmacy northern Ireland (cPnI) will continue to work together with the department of health and the health & Social care Board to look for, and provide, a range of security measures which will then need to be adequately funded.


‘Whilst not wanting to single any one pharmacist out, as all incidents are equally distressing, I feel I must mention Paul Mcdonagh again. his bravery in taking on the issue of violence in pharmacy, putting his story in the news and highlighting the issues going on in pharmacy on a daily basis really made people sit up and take notice. Paul used this terrible attack to highlight the issues facing his colleagues and put pharmacy safety on the political agenda, and I personally want to thank him for doing so.’


needless to say, cliff’s words resonated with everyone in the room and led to a prolonged round of applause for Paul Mcdonagh.


Perhaps unsurprisingly, the issue of pharmacy funding could not be ignored.


‘like many other areas of the health service,’ cliff continued, ‘we are at breaking point. In november last year, my pharmacy recorded a three per cent increase in dispensing productivity, fully delivered our quota of Managing your Medicines, and implemented numerous MUrs and smoking cessation services - all for an eight per cent decrease in funding. that is not sustainable. I cannot sustain that, nor can many more independent contractors.’


With economic issues to the fore and with members’ interests in mind, cliff informed all of those present that the Uca had now merged with cPnI: a merger, which, he said, ‘will bring together all of the strengths’ of both organisations, and which would ‘continue to offer support on service delivery, along with strong training programmes and local members’ events’. there was, he said, ‘an agreed vision for community pharmacy’. (See page 8 for an indepth look at the merger.)


following cliff’s speech, it was time for celebration and accolades! Both community initiatives and individual achievements were highlighted, with each of the deserving winners receiving a coveted ‘chemi’. there was a particularly poignant moment when the Pharmacy hero award was presented to Paul Mcdonagh and Peter Wright. following a standing ovation, an emotional Paul Mcdonagh spoke eloquently to thank the various professional bodies and individuals, who had offered support and help following the attack. he also drew particular attention to his


staff and patients, thanking them for their support.


the gala evening closed with the presentation of the outstanding contribution accolade to nI pharmacy stalwart, Sheelin McKeagney, for a body of work that has seen him operate at both a local and national level for almost three decades. again, the audience were on their feet as the popular armagh man received his award.


‘to be honest,’ he said, ‘I’m completely flabbergasted by this. I certainly wasn’t expecting to hear my name called and am extremely proud and pleased. I’m particularly proud because, during the awards ceremony, I had looked around the room and realised I was among so many superb professionals, who give so much to their local communities. to be standing before them, receiving this accolade, has made me even more proud of both my pharmacy colleagues and my profession.’


With the formalities over, everyone spent the rest of the evening networking and socialising. another great night for northern Ireland community pharmacy!


This year, the Pharmacy in Focus Awards raised much-needed funds for the UCA’s charity partner, Addiction NI. An amazing £3100 was raised on the evening for this great charity which does so much for the province’s addiction patients.


PharMacy In focUS - 29


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