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COVID SPECIAL


#PHARMACY HEROES every one of you should take a bow!


As I sTOOD OuTsIDe CLeAR PHARMACY IN ANTRIM ON A suNNY DAY IN MARCH, LOOKING AT A queue OF PATIeNTs sNAKe ITs WAY AROuND A GOOD HALF MILe FROM THe PHARMACY, I ReALLY WONDeReD HOW THe PROFessION WOuLD Be ABLe TO WITHsTAND THe PRessuRe THAT IT NOW FOuND ITseLF uNDeR. By Debbie Orme


personal protection equipment the ‘new norm’.


T


he new world in which we suddenly found ourselves was one of fear and panic. A surge


of patients was frantically ringing GP surgeries requesting an inordinate amount of medication and you were all left at the coal face to meet – and supply – that demand.


Your teams were working around the clock in new, unfamiliar working conditions, with Perspex screens and


Recognition supplemented by extra funding One of the first ways in which the NI community pharmacy network’s contribution to the recent crisis was recognised was in the Department of Health’s announcement of £13.25m in funding.


The funding allocation is set to help sustain and expand transformative services provided by community pharmacists, building on your response to the COVID-19 pandemic, whilst, at the same time, going some way towards easing workforce pressures and financial uncertainty.


The funding was, not surprisingly, welcomed by Community Pharmacy Northern Ireland (CPNI).


‘We welcome the announcement from the Department of Health,’ said CPNI CeO, Gerard Greene. ‘This funding will allow the community pharmacy network to sustain and develop services to build upon its vital, frontline role. This allocation signals a move forward for community pharmacy as a key service in the new post-COVID health and social care system supporting important service


8 - PHARMACY IN FOCus


Patients, who until recently had been used to coming into your pharmacies to enjoy a chat with fellow patients or staff, were suddenly fearful and often distressed. With GP surgeries closed, it was yourselves – the community pharmacists – who were left as the accessible face of primary care in Northern Ireland.


And how well you all responded!


provision to patients. It is a clear recognition of the critical role of the sector, not only in the safe supply of medicines, but as the fabric which holds local communities together in times of crisis.’


Funding due to ‘exceptional response’ James McCaughan, who has been Chairman of CPNI since October 2019, believes that the funding allocation was in no small way prompted by the profession’s exceptional response to the pandemic.


‘From the moment that the pandemic hit,’ he told PiF, ‘the industry was exceptional. From delivery of services, to adapting to new, challenging working conditions, community pharmacy in Northern Ireland demonstrated its worth to both the NHs in general and to patients in particular.


‘I feel that our recent experience as a profession will stand us in good stead going forward. As a result of the efforts of each and every one of our pharmacy teams, we managed to turn a challenging work environment into a period of hugely collaborative work with the Health


There is no doubt in anyone’s minds that, however terrible this recent period has been, and however equally bad any future waves may be, Northern Ireland’s community pharmacy has more than distinguished itself. You and your teams have all shown exactly what community pharmacy is capable of – and more.


You have gone above and beyond what was asked of you and your profession and your efforts have


& social Care Board – Joe Brogan and his team – and with the Department of Health.


‘There is no doubt that community pharmacy’s response acted as a very positive catalyst to our constructive discussions with the Department, due to the fact that we were clearly showing the value of our contribution as the discussions were taking place.


‘Pharmacy teams – everyone from front-line counter staff to pharmacists and dispensary staff – stepped up to the plate as life in community pharmacy in Northern Ireland was turned on its head within a 24-hour period.


‘From a practical point of view, for example, some delivery drivers were unable to work due to shielding etc and so others from the pharmacy teams and elsewhere had to deliver prescriptions to patients – many of whom were also self isolating or shielding.


‘I also feel that, as a profession, we were extremely fortunate to have a good Health Minister in post during this time.


shone a light on your passion for your communities and your drive to provide the best outcomes for all of your patients.


You should all be very proud of what you and your teams have achieved. everyone at Pharmacy in Focus certainly is!


Over the next few pages, we take a look at some of the action that was taking place during the first stage of the pandemic….


‘Robin swann MLA is familiar with community pharmacy and this definitely came across during our meetings and in his briefings – especially at the height of the pandemic.


‘Robin’s exposure to community pharmacy meant that when we were talking to him, we were talking to someone, who understands the role of the community pharmacist, and someone, who has a hugely positive perception of what community pharmacy does.


‘I think that, as a profession, having stepped up when others stood back, we now need take the opportunity to recharge our batteries and prepare for whatever may lie ahead if there is a much- anticipated second wave.


‘Going forward – and from CPNI’s perspective - there is now going to be an opportunity to work with the Board to develop more opportunities to enhance community pharmacy’s role within primary care: for community pharmacy to expand into other services.’


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