PARTNERSHIP
Pharmacy helps across the ages
thE roLE that PharmacIStS can PLaY In thE gEnEraL hEaLth of thEIr LocaL commUnItY IS WELL KnoWn anD that roLE ExtEnDS acroSS a WIDE rangE of agES - aS mEDIcarE/BcPP rEcEntLY ProVED!
a
lthough medicare Pharmacy group has participated in the Building community
Pharmacy Partnership programme with carrickfergus Ymca for many years, a recent project gave pharmacist, Selina Whiteside, her first introduction to this outreach work. and what a successful – and rewarding - introduction it was!
In november 2017, medicare launched its latest BcPP project in conjunction with carrickfergus Ymca.
‘this latest medicare/BcPP project focussed on parents and children,’ Selina told Pif. ‘the sessions centred primarily on a group of parents aged between 25 and 65, which, as you can imagine, meant that a wide range of health issues and concerns were involved.
‘from the outset, I worked very much in conjunction with the team leader from the local Ymca. We began with an introductory session, which was led by myself, in the Parents and Kids together (PaKt) centre in
carrickfergus, where I was able to meet the group and gauge an idea as to the type of topics that were of most interest to them. following initial conversations we ascertained that the main areas of interest not only included significant children’s health topics, but also a wide range of more adult-focussed subjects, such as healthy hearts, addiction, pain relief and stress management. I think it’s fair to say that the remit for this project was extremely wide-ranging, but was ultimately very rewarding for all concerned.
‘over the course of the next nine weeks, I both planned the sessions and produced relevant and evidence- based course material for the group. my pharmacy-led sessions covered core pharmacy services, in particular highlighting the minor ailments service and smoking cessation schemes. these sessions were interspersed with health-related activities, which were thoroughly enjoyable for everyone involved. I also tried to make them as ‘interactive’ and proactive as possible.
Participants in the Medicare BCPP project celebrate completing the programme
‘following a session on stress management, for example, the group they took part in go-karting at need 4 Speed Doagh. additionally, tyrone Whiteside, who is an employee of local ceramics company, Ulster ceramics foundation, held a workshop on starting ceramics. this was intended to encourage stress release in participants, and the feedback was excellent.
‘the group also availed of health checks, including blood pressure with associated guidance. I thought it was extremely important to highlight to participants that these services are widely available across community pharmacy – including our own medicare Pharmacies.
‘there was a focused session on children’s health – initially on common illnesses – but then expanded to behavioural issues, such as autism, aDhD and dyslexia – all of which are common issues that are very prevalent in northern Ireland. the group gained a lot of useful
information from these sessions, in addition to stress management techniques, and I found that they were very enthusiastic about discussing such matters with me as their local community pharmacist.
‘Involvement in the programme was, at a very personal level, very enjoyable and gave me valuable experience of working with this local community group in that I gained great insight into their healthcare needs, but was able to provide them with greater awareness of what their local community pharmacy could offer them.
‘It also enabled me to work with a local organisation, such as the Ymca, and to understand the valuable role they play in our local communities.
‘I could not have asked for a better team of parents to be involved with in the project, and I feel glad to have been able to give something back to the local community in which I work.’
Lynsey Turner receiving her certificate from Selina Whiteside on completion of the course.
16 - PharmacY In focUS
Last day of BCPP with the parents! (l-r): Lynsey Turner, Danielle Martin, Liz Kraft, Emma Laughlin, Selina Whiteside, Lynda Heffron, Nichola Kirkwood, Lynn Morgan, Maurice Shearer, Margaret Ireland and Paul Scott.
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