One Size FIts All

Among baggage reclaim carousels across the globe, passengers are reuniting themselves with exactly the same luggage in one country as they so trustingly parted from in another.

The Direct Approach

In a bid to raise awareness about the breadth, variety and indeed complexity of services offered throughout community pharmacies in Northern Ireland, pharmacy contractors Lee Dearn and James McKay joined David McCrea in Dundela Pharmacy to welcome the Health Minister.

The Right Formula

First the Albert Clock was treated to a reinvigorating cleanse, then the Merchant Hotel opened one of Belfast's premier jazz bars but the redevelopment of High Street doesnít stop there. Formula Healthís face-lift has turned heads of customers, commercial businesses and the Lord Mayor alike.

News in Brief

Cost Of A Pint

The 'shocking' cost of alcohol misuse in Northern Ireland was highlighted by Health Minister Michael McGimpsey in June after estimates that its cost to society equates to £679.8million with a range of £500million to £884million. "This research shows that the cost to the Health Service alone may be as high as around £160million each year with a further cost of £82million to Social Services,î the Minister said. ìThese figures are particularly pertinent in the context of my Departmentís very challenging financial situation because this is money that could be spent providing key frontline services."

Heart In Hands

The British Heart Foundation Northern Ireland is appealing to fundraisers to help it reach its target of £80,000 by August. The campaign is to recruit more heart nurses to support patients throughout the province and to reduce secondary care admissions.

Haiti Fundraising

Staff at Holly Villa in the Tyrone and Fermanagh Hospital have raised over £320 for a group who are travelling to Haiti in October to build houses following the earthquake. The Tyrone Haiti Build is a project in conjunction with the Haven Partnership to support those affected by the disaster.

Secondary Care Supported

A new hospital in Omaghs fight for funding has been supported by Health Minister Michael McGimpsey. Speaking at a meeting with the Omagh joint liaison group, the Minister said: "I am fully committed to the development of the new Omagh hospital and will continue to press for the essential funding needed to make this a reality."

Commissioning Together

Pharmacists and GPs must work together to define the gaps in commissioning data, review how they can be filled and to determine the correct level of care provision for a particular area, according to Stephen Foster, the head of the new Healthcare Professionals Commissioning Network. The network is open to any health or social care professional who would like to engage in commissioning. tinyurl.com/HCPnetwork

Special Code

Written by Laure James - Editor Pharmacy in Focus
Wednesday, 04 February 2009 09:19
The co-operation and involvement of pharmacists throughout Northern Ireland has helped to shape the profession’s core values according to Michelle McCorry, who has managed the Code of Ethics project and the consultation concerning its latest revisions. The project, which commenced in June 2008, is scheduled for completion in February and the third penultimate stakeholder meeting, which included wide representation from all sectors of pharmacy and was held on 17 December last year, was marked with some positive progress. Michelle, who described working with and engage those involved as a “wonderful opportunity”, said that the consultations had helped to forge a significant piece of work. She commented; “Three of the greatest strengths of this process have been the active and willing participation of stakeholders and the committees and Council of the PSNI, in the development and formation of all the key documents, the benchmarking of the initial documents with established best practice across the UK and beyond and the support this was handed through three consultation exercises with registrants and other targeted groups and organisations within Northern Ireland. This ensured both consistency and fitness for purpose locally.” Michelle also discussed how the project had presented her with the chance to liaise with a broader spectrum of people, from pharmacy colleagues to other healthcare professionals, representatives from patient and public groups as well as service users.” Before the end of February, a suite of eight documents will have been written and been consulted on and ratified by Council. In addition to the new and revised Code of Ethics, these include the following guidance and standards; • patient consent, • patient confidentiality, • pharmacist prescribing, • raising concerns, • sale and supply of medicines, • internet pharmacy services and • advertising of medicines and professional services. “Dr Deirdre McAree and Lisa Smith have been involved in compiling two additional guidance documents, in their respective areas, Continuing Professional Development and an adapted code for Under-Graduates,” Michelle, who has been working on a temporary contract with the Society and hands over the project during next month, added. “These will also be ready for release in March 2009. “It is proof of the old adage that; ‘coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success.’ None of this work would have been possible without the contribution of many individuals. On a personal level, I wish to thank every individual, group and organisation who responded to the consultations and participated as stakeholders. The Society and the pharmacy profession have a suite of documents that truly represent modern pharmacy practice in Northern Ireland and will help practitioners understand about the good and ethical practice and standards that the general public can expect from the pharmacy profession.” The new Code of Ethics and supporting Standards and Guidance will be launched mid March 2009.