supported by AWARDS HEALTH PROMOTION
WINNER: REBECCA ADAIR, MEDICARE PHARMACY, BELFAST
Rebecca Adair, Medicare Pharmacy, Ian Strachan, NPA Chairman and Cliff McElhinney, UCA President
W
ith first-hand experience of the effects of an acquired brain injury (aBI) on immediate family members, pharmacist
rebecca adair was the ideal person to partner with Building community Pharmacy Partnership in delivering an aBI-centred project to a group of participants. rebecca delivered a programme, which was developed to address the ‘taboo’ of mental health. the programme explored reasons for suffering from low mood/anxiety and looked at methods of improving mental health outcomes, including medication and self management through a healthy lifestyle.
rebecca led sessions, which focused on issues such as identifying the existence of mental health problems in those post aBI and explored the causes of poorer mental health due to direct
36 - PharMacy In focUS
damage to the brain, or as a result of catastrophic change in circumstances.
She also facilitated practical opportunities which enabled the participants to express their emotions, manage mood and enhance their self esteem. this was explored through music sessions, which included drama and mindfulness to engage service users. With input from participants, confidence was built and stress lowered by recreating favourite songs.
rebecca also provided participants with a key understanding of the support networks in the community, which help to prevent and manage mental health issues. this gave the participants insight into the role of the pharmacist as a readily accessible healthcare professional. She also used an associate psychologist-led session in order to build confidence and manage mood.
Rebecca Adair, Medicare Pharmacy, Belfast ‘there’s a lot that pharmacy professionals can do by sharing experiences. our initiative involved patients, who had been affected by brain injuries and, while medicines do certainly play a role in that, there is a lot of other support that can be provided by the wider healthcare team. I think we clearly showed that.’
Ian Strachan, National Pharmacy Association ‘I don’t believe that there can be any sustainable solution for the nhS at the moment unless it involves professionals like rebecca. Whatever happens in primary care impacts on community pharmacy and vice versa. We have more time and patients are increasingly recognising that.’
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