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

Pharmacy in Focus Awards 2008

Tuesday, 03 June 2008 21:29

Put 17 January 2009 in your diaries now! The very latest on the glittering Ulster Chemists’ Association President’s Ball and the highly prestigious Pharmacy in Focus Awards 2008 can be found here.

The inaugural and highly prestigious Pharmacy in Focus Awards, held in conjunction with the Ulster Chemists’ Association’s President’s Ball, proved to be one of the most exciting, entertaining and well attended events in the pharmacy calendar, with over 500 pharmacists, colleagues and suppliers flocking to the Ramada Hotel, Belfast back in January.

Profile Publishing and the Ulster Chemists’ Association are delighted to now announce 17 January 2009 as the date for next year’s President’s Ball and Pharmacy in Focus Awards. The immensely valued and worthwhile event, which raised over £8000 for Northern Ireland mental health charity, Aware Defeat Depression earlier this year, is set to be even more breathtaking and memorable.

The highly coveted and independently judged Pharmacy in Focus Awards, known as ‘CHEMIS’, gave eight extremely deserving pharmacy professionals and businesses unprecedented recognition both within the industry and among the public, with a full local press campaign.

Comments from our previous sponsors are testament to how exalted and highly regarded the Pharmacy in Focus Awards and UCA President’s Ball are. Paul McSorley, national accounts manager for Roche Diagnostics and sponsor of the Health Promotion Award, described the event as “the very best Awards night” he had ever attended in the UK and that; “as an Awards sponsor, I was delighted to be part of the night.”

Michael Guerin, managing director of Medicare Pharmacy Group commented; “The UCA President’s Ball and Pharmacy in Focus Awards held earlier this year attracted a perfect blend of pharmacy and trade colleagues and provided an excellent networking opportunity in addition to a spectacular social event. I am certainly looking forward to next year’s occasion.”