PHARMACY OF THE YEAR STRANGFORD PHARMACY


supported by


Shane O'Hare and the team from Strangford Pharmacy celebrate their win alongside UCA President, Cliff McElhinney, Peter Surgenor, Managing Director, Sangers AAH and Eamonn Holmes


lying nine miles from downpatrick is the picturesque village of Strangford. Prior to Shane o’hare opening Strangford Pharmacy, the medical provision in the village consisted of a ‘two hours a week’ gP surgery.


the nearest pharmacies were nine miles away in ardglass or downpatrick, or across the narrows of Strangford lough in Portaferry. Strangford has always been a popular retirement village but, in recent years, has seen a dramatic increase in people moving there in their later years; hence the age demographic is that of an elderly population.


It was as a result of this growing population and unquestionable need for pharmacy services that, in 2005, Shane, who had been working in downpatrick until that time, managed to obtain a new contract and opened Strangford Pharmacy. It was a risky move at the time but, with excellent service provision, Shane and staff soon captured the locals’ support and thrived.


Up until 2005, patients in the village had to travel to downpatrick to pick up a prescription from the surgery – an 18-mile round trip – and one which, if it had to be made by bus (with only three running a day), could be an all-day activity. this trip not only meant great inconvenience to patients, but also meant that they had little or no interaction with a pharmacist. In opening the new pharmacy, Shane wanted to create a ‘hub’ for the local community, providing a centre-point for healthcare. Strangford


Pharmacy now has a comprehensive prescription collection service from all surgeries in downpatrick and delivers medicines in Strangford and around the large rural area surrounding the village.


today, Shane operates a six-day service for his patients with the help of regular locum, Emma o’grady and dispensing assistants amanda Murray and danielle McEvoy. the team works very closely together and the fact that they all know their patients and customers very well means that the pharmacy is the embodiment of the vision Shane had of the community ‘hub’.


the community spirit came into play very quickly with the news that the local surgery was to close. the news came very suddenly from the trust and Strangford Pharmacy and the community had to act quickly. It was devastating for many elderly patients who depended on the surgery and had no access to private transport. It was devastating news for the community as a whole because once the service was removed, there was little chance of it returning or being developed. this was a growing community with growing needs and closing the surgery was a big step backwards. It was essential that the pharmacy was saved.


Shane and his staff rallied the community to a common cause; contacting many public representatives, holding many meetings and organising a faceBook page. the community and their representatives turned up to demonstrations


and engaged the trust regarding the ruling. there was fabulous front-page coverage in the down recorder in two editions. there was a fantastic turnout at the demonstrations and the fact that the pharmacy ‘won’ meant a great deal to the village and community.


one very important initiative that Shane involved the pharmacy in was the result of a tragic incident in the village. a gentleman who lived across the road collapsed one day in his house and Shane and a friend went to assist him.


While trying cPr, another person fetched a defibrillator and they attempted to revive the man with it. Unfortunately, they were unsuccessful and the man died. It was a traumatic experience for all involved. discussing it over breakfast one Saturday morning Shane’s friend suggested they raise money for a community-owned defibrillator and cabinet that would be available all the time.


Shane decided to swim from Portaferry to Strangford in order to raise £1500 for a cabinet and a defibrillator for Strangford. It was a great project which people supported by giving generously. So much so, that at the end he had raised £4,500: enough for a second defibrillator and cabinet in kilclief (a community three miles away), batteries and pads for a defibrillator in a local sports club, and money for three community groups: all of which created a lot of goodwill in the village.


PharMacY In focUS - 37


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