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

The Votes Are In

Written by Laure James - Editor Pharmacy in Focus

Thursday, 17 February 2011 09:33

Thirteen pharmacists stood for election at the end of 2010, sharing their manifestoes with Pharmacy in Focus and vying for the vote of their peers.

It’s a key step forward for considerations on what the future of Northern Ireland pharmacy could hold and more importantly, how it could be influenced. Over 2000 votes were cast, counted and eight candidates were elected to the management board. Raymond Anderson, Johanne Barry, Declan Byrne, John Clark, John Hamill, Martin Kerr, Anne McAlister and Kate McClelland will meet next month for their first official engagement and are already sharing ideas on how they believe the new body ought to function and engage.

Among other properties, Declan Byrne believes that the forum Board can provide a clear unified voice on behalf of all pharmacists when liaising with the regulator, other health professionals and with the media.

“Just take a look at the number of votes cast and you can see that we have a truly representative body,” Declan Byrne told PiF. “I believe the new forum can provide a network among pharmacists to share knowledge, ideas and experiences and to meet challenges together as we move toward a more service driven profession. It’s a big step in the right direction of promoting the profession as a key resource within the health service and to fully recognise the position which the pharmacist has within the community.”

Anne McAlister, who is already known to the pharmacy profession through her representative work with the NPA, is happy with the level of interest the forum has already generated among pharmacists. “I’m really pleased to have been elected to the Professional Forum Board and delighted that many pharmacists took the time to participate in the election,” she said. “I am excited about the emerging opportunities in pharmacy and I am looking forward to working with my colleagues on the Board to help shape a strong leadership body for pharmacy in Northern Ireland.”

Julie Greenfield, the professional forum manager was delighted with the turn out to the ballots. “It was very encouraging to see so many pharmacists participating in the voting process and showing their passion for the future of the profession,” she said, “with 17 per cent of all registrants voting and over 2100 votes cast.”

What Next?

The Guild of Healthcare Pharmacists, Ulster Chemists’ Association and Pharmaceutical Contractors’ Committee have been invited to put forward their nominees for their respective allocated places on the Forum Board. They will then join with the eight elected members to audit the skill base available. If necessary the Forum Board can then exercise its co-option powers to bring individuals, with specific skills or knowledge, onto the management board.

“It is envisaged that the professional forum will be a member-led grassroots organisation therefore an early priority for the Board will be to ascertain the needs of its members in its formative period,” Julie added. “So in the year ahead pharmacists should be prepared to have their voice heard by contributing and participating in the forum activities.

“This is a great opportunity for pharmacists in Northern Ireland to build and support a strong leadership body by distilling a clear vision of where the profession should be heading. I have no doubt that the new Forum Board will have the passion and drive to take it there.”