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

Winnie's Prescription for a Long Career

Written by Laure James - Editor Pharmacy in Focus

Friday, 01 August 2008 13:58

Long-serving Winnie Johnston has been rewarded for looking after the health of people in Northern Ireland for 60 years. Winnie, who began with The Co-operative Pharmacy aged just 16 in July 1948, joins the NHS in celebrating sixty years of ensuring health is at the forefront of community care.

Dedicated to pharmacy She worked first at its city centre branch in York Street, Belfast, before moving to the branch in her home town of Ballynahinch, County Down, 18 years ago and now, aged 76, still works full time as a pharmacy assistant at the Main Street outlet.

Speaking as she was presented with flowers, champagne and chocolates by her colleagues, Winnie said; “When I first began, I was very nervous because I really wanted the job, but I never expected to still be working for the same business 60 years later.”

There have been plenty of changes in pharmacy since Winnie began her career. When she started, extemporaneous dispensing was commonplace and like other assistants, Winnie had to learn the Latin names for the ingredients. While working in Belfast, Winnie and her team often quickly responded to helping wounded victims of the Troubles, treating patients alongside other healthcare professionals.

“They were difficult times but we had a great team and all the staff pulled together,” she remembers. “I love working in the pharmacy. I’m now part of a great team of people here at Ballyhaninch. Every day I enjoy coming to work, being part of the team and meeting the customers. I’ve got no plans to retire just yet.”