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

Marathon Effort

Wednesday, 25 June 2008 08:16

After raising more than £3000 for Aware Defeat Depression, the Ulster Chemists’ Association marathon participants are congratulated during a unique ceremony at 5 Annadale Avenue.

Ulster Chemists' Association raised £3000 for Aware Defeat Depression As soon as the exhausted Belfast City Marathon participants had a chance to catch their breath, Aware Defeat Depression took the opportunity to thank all pharmacists and pharmacy staff who ran with the Ulster Chemists’ Association to raise money for the mental health charity’s valuable and often life-saving services. Fundraising manager Alison Smyth joined the marathon teams at 5 Annadale Avenue to congratulate them for contributing to an expected total of more than £3000 and also revealed who was the fastest individual, fastest team and which group had the wittiest name.

“Congratulations go to Pharmacy Phlyers, who were clear winners with the best time and Woodbourne Pharmacy, for their clever alias, ‘U Relay Got Me Going’,” Alison said. “Our sincere thanks and gratitude go to all those who helped to raise very much needed funds.”

Ulster Chemists' Association UCA president Paul McDonagh also attended the ceremony. “Between running a very successful pharmacy business and always being relied upon to get involved with UCA Committee events and meetings, I am not sure how Garth Newberry, winner of the fastest individual, found the time to train for this challenging marathon,” explained Paul as he presented Garth with his certificate.

Tokens of appreciation were also given to teams including the Manic Street Runners (with participants from Turf Lodge and Laurel Glen Pharmacies), Harry’s Angels (Harrison Healthcare) and Aware Defeat Depression staff Elizabeth Beattie and Deirdre Graham who also took part.

Elsewhere, staff at Medicare Pharmacy Group got themselves up to speed when they raced through the marathon in aid of mental health charity CAUSE. Alliance Pharmacy Head Office staff also raised money for McMillan Cancer Fund, Urban Pharmacy, Belfast, continued their fund-raising work with Rethink and Bannside Pharmacy, Portglenone, ran in aid of Concern.