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

Ministers Back Pharmacy

Written by Laure James - Editor Pharmacy in Focus

Thursday, 17 February 2011 10:06

Pharmacy took its position among the politicians yesterday when a parliamentary event was attended by more than 150 pharmacists and GPs. English Health Minister Earl Howe and other key MPs, including the Chair of the Commons Health Select Committee and Labour’s Shadow Health spokesman, expressed their views on what the current health reforms will mean for community pharmacy and the wider primary care setting.

At the event co-sponsored by AAH Pharmaceuticals, Earl Howe stated that he remained confident that community pharmacy had a central role to play and that the government’s reforms would open up new opportunities.

Other speakers highlighted the role which community pharmacies play in informing and advising the public in addition to providing patient services and on-going care for those with long-term conditions.

“This is a critical time for community pharmacy which is why we sponsored this event organised by the charity Silver Star in order to give pharmacists in particular the chance to ensure their voice is heard by the Pharmacy Minister for England, and, other key MPs who will influence national healthcare policy,” explained James Lindsay, head of corporate relations.

“This is the kind of support for customers which makes AAH different and which makes a difference for our customers. I believe AAH customers recognise that and that is one of the reasons why they choose to do business with AAH.”