FROM SPECIALIST SUPPORT TO EVERYDAY HEALTHCARE
The partnership changing lives after mastectomy
A partnership that has supported hundreds of breast cancer survivors across Northern Ireland is celebrating five years.
Gordons Chemist first began supplying “Knitted Knockers” in some of their branches back in 2021. Since then they have been instrumental in ensuring women who have undergone a mastectomy have access to a lightweight, natural fibre alternative to traditional silicone breast prosthetics.
The group now stocks Knitted Knockers at most of its local branches and allows ordering from any branch, ensuring all patients have access to these free 100% cotton handcrafted prosthetics which are available in sizes A to E cup.
Joanne Harris became the driving force of Knitted Knockers of Northern Ireland after her childhood best friend Linda Ferguson had a mastectomy. After discovering that Linda and many other breast cancer survivors struggle with their silicone breast prosthetic, finding it heavy and uncomfortable, Joanne set about finding a light-weight alternative. She came across the worldwide organisation Knitted Knockers and was asked to set up the Northern Irish branch of the charity which she did
Five days, five health priorities
One pharmacy. Five days. Multiple health initiatives. One Gordons Chemist branch has come up with a new way of promoting the range of services that the pharmacy offers so patients can find out more.
The group’s Magherafelt store launched a five- day healthcare showcase earlier this year. The event brought together a range of clinicians, health checks and pharmacy services in a structured programme designed to connect local people with healthcare support.
The initiative placed a different area of health in focus each day throughout one dedicated week in September. It gave local people the opportunity to meet clinicians, ask questions and learn more about the support available close to home.
“The local pharmacy should feel like one of the easiest doors to walk through when you have a
32
pharmacyinfocus.co.uk
health question. People can sometimes put off seeking advice because they are busy, unsure where to begin or worried that their concern is not serious enough,” explained Gareth McGuigan, Pharmacist at Gordons Chemists.
“By bringing a different health focus into the store each day, we wanted to make that first step simpler. Whether someone wants to understand their hearing, explore weight-management support, discuss mole scanning, check their blood pressure or learn more about NHS pharmacy services, they can start with a straightforward conversation in a familiar setting,” he said.
The programme started with audiology services on the Monday, followed by weight management support on Tuesday. By mid-week the focus was mole scanning and Duality Health Private GP services. Thursday saw health checks and free blood pressure tests and the week concluded with a focus on the NHS pharmacy services available to the community.
alongside Linda. Today the organisation is made up of an army of volunteer knitters who ensure every Knitted Knocker is lovingly handcrafted to offer comfort, confidence and support.
“The overwhelming response we have from ladies who use knitted knockers is that they are lightweight, comfortable, and that they are able to wear any style of top without being conscious of their prosthetic,” said Joanne.
“We are so grateful to partner with Gordons Chemist as it means that our free Knitted Knockers are more readily available to the people of Northern Ireland. We cannot thank Gordons enough for all their help and support,” she said.
Both the original knitted knocker and the crochet swimming knocker are completely free to anyone who has had a mastectomy.
A spokesperson for Gordons Chemist said: “On average 1400 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year in Northern Ireland. This is a great initiative, which supports so many cancer patients, and we are more than happy to help this worthwhile cause by raising the profile and accessibility of their Knitted Knockers throughout Northern Ireland by stocking them in our stores.”
Throughout the week, customers also received 10% off products and services as a way of encouraging more people to explore the wider range of health and wellbeing support available through their local pharmacy.
To help manage availability, eligibility and appointment requirements, customers were encouraged to check details in advance by scanning the QR code on campaign materials or speaking to the pharmacy team in store.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48
