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

President's Ball & PiF Awards

Encompassing a glittering night of celebration for the profession, a commemorative acknowledgement of gratitude for the Ulster Chemists’ Association and president Paul McDonagh and an opportunity to socialise with industry colleagues from throughout the UK and Ireland,

this year’s UCA President’s Ball and Pharmacy in Focus Awards was an exceptional success.

Gerard Greene Wins the Outstanding Contribution to Pharmacy Award at the Pharmacy in Focus Awards Everyone from Departmental and elevated luminaries to the real stars of community pharmacy in Northern Ireland flocked to the Ramada Hotel, Belfast to celebrate the outstanding and inspiring contributions made by those throughout the profession, immortalised in the Pharmacy in Focus Awards. This year the number of entries for each category, and the quality of each entry, presented the judges with a formidable challenge in deciding the winners but our triumphant ten were immensely deserving of their Awards. A very special Outstanding Contribution to Pharmacy Award was also presented on the night to winner Gerard Greene from Northern Pharmacies, as chosen by the UCA Executive Committee.Exquisitely fine dining and service greeted guests at the hotel, while the indefinably talented Arco Quartet, a stringed foursome that combined classical favourites, jazz standards and easy listening, presented an engaging repertoire and entertained diners through the night. The Pharmacy in Focus Awards Set with Dr Terry Maguire

Some more energetic revelers stayed through until the early hours on the dance floor, while the late bar warmly welcomed others.On stage, lauded pharmacy practitioner Dr Terry Maguire hosted the Awards ceremony, while Master of Ceremonies Colin Barkley kept the audience amused with his acerbic comedy routine. Guests at the event also contributed towards local charity Aware Defeat Depression and their invaluable work with people suffering from depression, by raising over £9,000 through a charity casino, prize draw and auction.

“The Awards are an exciting showcase for all that is great in community pharmacy in Northern Ireland,” Terry said. “The awards properly reflect the ranges of competencies across the profession, the skills and abilities that separate community pharmacy from other businesses and from other parts of the profession.“The evening was a unique opportunity to meet up with colleagues, old and young, in a friendly, relaxed and convivial atmosphere. It was also a great opportunity to meet with colleagues in the industry and discuss opportunities and development ideas. I will be following a number of these contacts up in the coming weeks. “The UCA are to be congratulated for providing this evening, the companies that sponsored the evening are to be thanked for their generosity and of course the Profile Publishing team deserves an extra big thank you for all the organising, planning and hard work that went into creating a great night and ensured that everything worked seamlessly.”

Pharmacy in Focus Awards Set President of the UCA Paul McDonagh said; “The whole profession had eagerly anticipated this year’s event, to see how it could match last year’s superb night,” he said. “The Bond theme gave a very professional and slick feel which complemented the Awards and the casino was again hugely popular. Whilst all the Award winners and finalists deserve congratulations and praise I would single just a few for particular mention. “Thank you to all our event, Award and associated sponsors for making such a memorable night possible and to Adrienne, Tammy, Jason Andrews and his team at Profile for their wonderful organisation.”