UCA-NI NEWS
Community pharmacy service makes real impact on lives of hidden carers
It is estimated that in Northern Ireland there are 213,980 carers who provide unpaid care for relatives and friends. A carer is someone who regularly provides a substantial amount of care to a family member, friend or neighbour who is ill, disabled or is an older person. Many become isolated through the demands of their caring responsibilities and those carers providing high levels of care are more than twice as likely to have poor health.
A carer could be: • a young person under 18 looking after a parent/brother/sister
• looking after a relative with a disability
• the parent of a child with special needs
• an older person who is frail
Over half a million patients visit a community pharmacy in Northern Ireland on average each week, making it a prime location to provide this service and respond to local need. Community pharmacy is typically seen as a less formal place to access healthcare rather than in a general practice or hospital setting.
Community pharmacists see the difficulties faced by carers first-hand on a daily basis.
The Hidden Carers service was piloted initially in pharmacies in the south eastern LCG and based on the evaluation has since been rolled out to Western, Northern and Belfast LCGs.
It is partnership working between the Trust and the community pharmacies within the LCG area. Community pharmacists are encouraged to promote the support service to carers, signposting to appropriate pharmacy services, such as the stop smoking service, providing written information and giving any appropriate lifestyle advice.
The community pharmacist will also refer interested carers to the local Trust Carers support service. A member of the Carer support Team contacts the carer to discuss various types of support available to help them in their caring role. This may be information on how to take a break, getting out to meet other carers or
Community pharmacy Living Well campaigns
Community pharmacists and staff in over 500 pharmacies in Northern Ireland have been actively involved in delivering the first year of the Living Well service, providing information and advice on key public health issues.
Comprising of a number of topics including ‘Care in the sun’, ‘Choose to Live Better’ and ‘stay Well This Winter’; the service has been positively embraced by both the community pharmacy sector and the public. With community pharmacists reaching out to local community groups, schools and businesses, advice and information leaflets have been shared to improve the surrounding community’s health. In
the first three campaigns alone, 41,543 people engaged in the service, with 1,487 referrals made to other health professionals.
The high level of engagement highlights the importance of the community pharmacy network as the ideal platform to successfully deliver public health messages, now and in the future.
As part of each campaign, the Health and social Care Board and Public Health Agency organises a competition for the best participating pharmacy, with the winner of each campaign receiving a grant for an iPad.
Pharmacy owner, Kate McClelland (left) with Helen Creighton HSCB
being kept up to date with what is going on in the Trust area. early results have shown that the service has been especially good at identifying males within the community, who don’t even recognise themselves as being carers. The support they have received as a result of the service has made a real difference to their lives.
Carer feedback… ‘The pharmacist approached me otherwise I wouldn’t have known to ask.’
‘I would never have dreamed any help would have been available for me.’
Quotes from community pharmacists involved in the service…
‘I have made three referrals into the Hidden Carers service. Two in particular found it very beneficial as they had almost got to crisis point and didn’t know where to turn to get help. One carer had been trying to get help from their GP but was finding little success and this route
proved more beneficial as they got direct contact with carers support. All three referrals were for dementia patients. The carers got the extra support that they needed and felt that they had a point of contact if their situation deteriorated.’
‘Often the carer becomes isolated and loses friendships as the caring role takes over, particularly when caring for a relative or spouse as they feel it is their duty, which can cause strain on relationships. Carers are the unsung heroes in our community and they deserve recognition and support. The Hidden Carers service gives carers relief and support in their role, signposting to services available to them. Often, it’s our counter staff, through informal chats at the counter, who pick up on hidden carers and make referrals into this extremely worthwhile service.’
Paperwork in relation to the carers support service can be found on the BsO’s website.
http://www.hscbusiness.hscni.net/serv ices/
2771.htm
Kennedy’s Pharmacy owner, Patrick Kennedy (right) with Fiona McConnell HSCB
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