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

Full of Grace

Written by Laure James - Editor Pharmacy in Focus

Monday, 23 February 2009 00:00

How do you feed thousands of children who have been caught within a crippling war with limited resources to not only meet their immediate needs, but to even locate those affected by conflict? Tuesday's Child, a recently established charity that campaigns for children's humanitarian rights, was founded over eighteen months ago by Northern Ireland pharmacist Orla Sheehan.

The charity has been caring for children in troubled Gaza since November and Orla, with the assistance of fellow pharmacist Peggy Sheridan, has established projects in fourteen countries. Although many healthcare professionals become involved with charities by offering their skills within patient care, Tuesday's Child is now urgently appealing for emergency aid and for now, Orla and Peggy are simply concerned with ensuring essential supplies reach those who are most in need. We are devastated by the recent conflict in the Middle East and the slaughter of so many innocent children, Orla said. Since late December, some of the children we were feeding have been killed, or died of dehydration.

When Peggy first discovered Tuesday's Child, she felt compelled to get involved with the project's fundraising. I had been selecting a children's charity to make regular donations to but after meeting Orla, I saw that there were several opportunities to help with fund raising, Peggy, who is based at Botanic Pharmacy, Belfast said. I think it has been helpful to have someone extra involved with event organisation and promotions, raising awareness about our objectives.

Just as this edition of NIPinF was preparing for publication, the Tuesday's Child team were planning for one of their biggest fund raising projects to date - an all-star concert held over two days in Dublin. Some of Ireland's most renowned musicians are taking to the premier Vicar Street stage to raise awareness about the life threatening problems facing children in Gaza and funds for the charity's projects to continue. The line up includes Neil Hannon, better known as the Divine Comedy's frontman, and Lisa Hannigan, who shot to fame as Damien Rice's female vocalist.

The charity's team would be very interested in hearing from anyone who would like to help with fundraising. Pharmacy is a hugely charitable profession and I know that many get involved with charity health fayres and events such as the Belfast City Marathon, Peggy added. We are very grateful to hear from those thinking of supporting children affected by war and poverty. For more information visit www.tuesdayschild.ie