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

Presidents At Home 2008

Written by Laure James - Editor Pharmacy in Focus

Monday, 28 July 2008 14:06

Highly capable, talented, pioneering and passionate about pharmacy are key attributes of the Ulster Chemists’ Association’s President, although throughout the UCA Executive Committee, these qualities can be found in addition to tremendous levels of dedication and hard work on behalf of pharmacists throughout Northern Ireland. As a gesture of thanks, it has been a long standing UCA tradition to invite members of the Committee along to the celebratory Presidents at Home event.

“The President invites his colleagues on the Executive Committee to an evening or day out as a reward for their continuing contribution to the Association and the profession,” explained Adrienne Clugston, UCA secretary who knows first hand how hard the Committee works. “Committee members give up their free time, or what remains of it, to help run the Association for the benefit of their fellow members and the event, usually held towards the summer, is one way of showing our gratitude. The evening is also an opportunity to thank key contributors to UCA events, such as wholesalers AAH Pharmaceuticals and Sangers.”

President Paul McDonagh hosted this year’s event in City Hall’s Big Wheel, against the dazzling backdrop of the Belfast sky line. “This was the first Presidents at Home since Paula McDaid hosted her wonderful event in 2004 since it can be difficult to organise during the summer months,” Paul explained. “Therefore I was determined to have one this year to express our thanks to the Committee.

“The event was an enormous success and the Big Wheel played a big role in its popularity. It was a thank you to all the good work and free time all the UCA Committee members, along with Adrienne Clugston and Tammy Jones, have put in during the last two years in particular, that I have been President. We also extend our thanks to our main sponsors AAH Pharmaceuticals and Sangers without whose financial support many training, events and conferences simply could not happen.”

The social event was also a key opportunity for Committee members representing other professional bodies to talk about what they are working on at the moment. “It was a great chance to catch up and talk over a few things with PCC chair Gerard Greene and PSNI president Raymond Anderson,” Paul added. “However it wasn't all business and a thoroughly great night was had by all. Feedback did indicate that it certainly shouldn’t be another four years for the next one!”