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

ACCU-CHEK ART SHOW

Monday, 06 July 2009 10:48

One of the biggest dates in Northern Ireland's agricultural calendar has to be the Balmoral Show, held annually at the King's Hall in Belfast.

This year's event, which saw over 2000 screened for diabetes by Gordons Chemists and Accu-Chek, also had an artistic twist when the winner of a poster competition was also unveiled. Katie McCay had her outstanding entry judged the worthy winner by Michelle Patterson and Fiona Clements, paediatric diabetes specialist nurses from the Royal Victoria Children's Ward, and turned into a full-scale banner displayed at the event.

Speaking at the show, Mark Kellett, HCP Representative from Roche Diabetes Care said; We were really impressed with the level of entries we received and would like to congratulate Katie. Paul McSorley, national accounts manager added; The Balmoral Show is an unmissable opportunity to reach out to Northern Ireland's rural population, a patient group traditionally isolated and therefore affected by access to healthcare barriers.

John Clark, general manager for Gordons Chemists reinforced the importance of raising the profile of pharmacy at such events. We hope that the work undertaken by Gordons Chemists at the Balmoral Show will encourage more from the farming community, especially men, to visit their local pharmacy for thorough health checks throughout the year, he said. Congratulations to Katie McCay for her winning entry!