Month: November 2020

The body that represents community pharmacists in Northern Ireland is once again calling on the public to work with local community pharmacies as part of the health service’s response to the second COVID wave.

Community Pharmacy NI says an expanded range of measures and services have been put in place at local community pharmacies to help manage the increased flow of patients and greater demand placed upon the health service because of the pandemic.

The body is also reminding the public to co-operate and be patient with local community pharmacy teams as they are working at maximum capacity to deal with increased numbers of patients needing medicines and advice.

That includes asking the public not to stockpile medicines and to use them wisely so that supplies can be safely managed. In addition, there may be longer waiting times and more social-distancing measures introduced to ensure safety for both staff and patients.  Community pharmacists have expanded their range of existing services to include the provision of the flu vaccine for health and social care workers, the Emergency Supply service as well as the return of initiatives like Pharmacy First to treat seasonal illnesses like sore throat and common cold.

Chief Executive of Community Pharmacy NI, Gerard Greene said:

“Once again, as the virus takes grip, community pharmacies remain open and ready to deal with COVID-19 and work to ensure all our patients are supported with the correct medicines and assured advice they need.

“As with the first wave, we are reaching out to the public, asking them to please be patient and mindful. Our community pharmacy teams are working around the clock to ensure the safe supply of medicines and sound assistance is given to all. Pharmacies have the necessary PPE and measures in place to ensure we can stay open and serve our communities.

“Having come through the first wave the health service has a better understanding of what to expect and pharmacy teams are equipped with the knowledge and know-how to deal with the increasing demand. New initiatives such as the Emergency Supply service, ensures that patients can access an urgentsupply of their regular prescription medicine allowing members of our communities to access the healthcare they need at a convenient location and freeing up GP surgeries and Emergency Departments.

The recent return of the Pharmacy First Winter Ailments service offers patients the opportunity to access a consultation with a highly trained healthcare professional for advice and treatment for common winter conditions. This will relieve some of the winter pressures facing our health colleagues in other settings, allowing them to focus on other aspects associated with COVID and other conditions.

Mr Greene added:

“We would also remind the public of some safety measures to ensure safety for all. Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms – that is a high temperature, persistent new cough, or loss of taste and smell – should not come into a pharmacy and should self-isolate. Please remember to wear a face covering when visiting a community pharmacy.

“At this time, it is hugely important that we all work together to get through this health crisis. The community pharmacy network is working with colleagues in primary care, HSCB and the Department to help alleviate pressures in the wider HSC system. Again, I would ask the public to co-operate and be patient with local community pharmacy teams as they work hard to ensure patients receive the essential medicines and trusted guidance they need.”

The first pilot of New Models of Prescribing Programme has launched.

This project will focus on musculoskeletal, respiratory and lymphoedema prescribing in the outpatient and community setting within SEHSCT and SHSCT.

Prescribers participating in both these pilots will issue prescriptions directly to patients in situations where it is of benefit to the patient to:

• Commence treatment quickly (within 72 hours of contact with the non-medical prescriber)
• Titrate medication and have an early review for response and appropriateness.

An information video can be viewed here

The 18th November is European Antibiotic Awareness Day marking the start of World Antibiotic Awareness Week (18 – 24^th November). Antibiotic resistance (AMR) is still one of the biggest threats facing us globally and locally which remains as important as ever during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The misuse of antibiotics during COVID-19 pandemic could lead to accelerated emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance.  

To help stop the spread of antibiotic resistance promote simple measures that can make a huge difference:

Promote good hand hygiene- it’s not just for COVID. Download at: http://antibioticguardian.com/Resources/hand-washing-technique/

Self-care information and fact sheets are available to download from theself-care forum on COVID 19, cough, common cold, sore throat and otitis media (middle ear infection) amongst others. See http://www.selfcareforum.org/fact-sheets/ for the full range of fact sheets.

Antibiotics should not be used to prevent or treat viral infections, unless bacterial infections are also present. Refer patients to Pharmacy First service if appropriate for winter illnesses.               

Download the free MICROGUIDE app via the App store or Google Play (select ‘Northern Ireland Primary Care’ when prompted for trust) or for Desktop PC at NI formulary

If we act now, we can protect the use of antibiotics so that they will continue to work now and well into the future. To become an antibiotic guardian, go to https://antibioticguardian.com for more information.

Community pharmacies across Northern Ireland will provide a Pharmacy First service again this winter to encourage patients to contact their local chemist for treatment and advice on a range of common winter conditions.

The Pharmacy First service is a winter initiative by the health service which enables patients to have a consultation virtually or in a private area with their local community pharmacist. Pharmacists can offer advice and treatment for common conditions like sore throat and common colds, recommend treatment and refer patients to other healthcare professionals as appropriate. 

Patients can call into a community pharmacy for a consultation, but for infection control purposes, it is preferable if they ring the pharmacy first for advice.  They can then have a consultation with the pharmacist over the phone, a video call or go to the pharmacy in person. Remote consultations will also be available for those who are vulnerable, patients who are continuing to shield, and those isolating due to COVID-19, who are unable to get medical advice for winter and COVID care. Anyone experiencing any COVID symptoms such as high temperature, continuous cough or loss of taste or smell should NOT go into the pharmacy.

Last winter, over 8000 consultations per month were offered to patients.  92% of people who used the service previously said they felt more confident about managing their cold or sore throat after speaking to their community pharmacist.

Cathy Harrison, Chief Pharmaceutical Officer, Department of Health said,

“Community pharmacists are the first point of contact for many people in need of healthcare advice and support, with nearly 10% of the population visiting one of our community pharmacies every day. This year our health service has seen unprecedented and unrelenting pressures across the whole system, and our community pharmacy teams adapted remarkably well to fast-changing circumstances and adjusted their services so they could continue to support people at a challenging time.”

“Community pharmacy teams are now developing their role as an integral part of the Health Service, and are delivering a range of new services specifically designed to meet the needs of our population during the pandemic period. The  ‘Pharmacy First’ service will offer people the opportunity to readily access a consultation with a highly trained healthcare professional for advice and treatment for common winter conditions, and relive pressures on other acute care providers such as GPs and Emergency Departments.”

Joe Brogan, Head of Pharmacy, Health and Social Care Board said,

“The Covid-19 pandemic continues to put huge pressures on the health and social care system. Community pharmacists have played an important role throughout this pandemic and will continue to do so this winter as we experience a second surge. We encourage the public, when they have a minor ailment such as a sore throat or a cold and are considering going to their GP – to think Pharmacy First. Community pharmacists will use their skills and expertise to provide advice and treatment for a range of common conditions. This will help support GP practices, GP out-of-hours services and Emergency Departments over the coming months when winter ailments occur more frequently.” 

Chief Executive of Community Pharmacy NI, Gerard Greene continued:

“We are pleased to be launching this year’s Pharmacy First for Winter Ailments Service at community pharmacies across Northern Ireland. With the health service already under tremendous strain, and on course for further winter pressures, this service will allow community pharmacies to manage common ailments such as sore throats and the common cold whilst easing pressures on other parts of our health service.”

“As we enter cold and flu season, community pharmacists will ensure available and accessible care is provided for people in the local community, to help them manage minor conditions at home. We expect there to be an upsurge in cold and other winter ailments and that is why we have put in place the Pharmacy First Service: to continue to be the front door to the health service, providing expert assessments, advice and treatments.”

“We would like to remind patients who are experiencing any COVID symptoms such as high temperature, continuous cough or loss of taste or smell NOT to go into the pharmacy, please phone your pharmacy instead for advice.”

With so much continued uncertainty around how to manage COVID, the community pharmacy network is also playing an important role in assisting patients through this period in a safe and remote fashion. I would strongly encourage anyone unable to access face-to-face advice and assistance from their community pharmacy because they are shielding, isolating or vulnerable to get into contact with their local community pharmacy to schedule a telephone or video consultation.”

Michael Hill, Community Pharmacist from Hill’s Pharmacy in Tandragee said:

“Throughout the pandemic we have seen the enormous pressure placed upon our health services. Not only are we now facing a second wave, but we are facing it during winter flu season and that requires a radical rethink of how we treat patients.”

“Community pharmacy teams are proud to be able to play our part in ensuring care continues to be provided in the local community as far as possible, to relieve pressures on other parts of the health service, particularly for  minor conditions.”

“Our community pharmacies will become important hubs for people in the community so they can access good advice and healthcare this winter. The remote access feature of the service we offer will also benefit greatly those who have to shield, those who are vulnerable and those who may be COVID symptomatic and unable to leave the house. We know many of our patients will find this service of huge benefit. We would encourage everyone to work with us and use the service if they need it.”

The Pharmacy First service will be available from participating community pharmacies from 2^nd November 2020 until 31^st March 2021.  All patients registered with a GP in Northern Ireland can use this service, with the exception of temporary residents and patients living in nursing or residential homes.

OVER 1,100 JOBS FOR NI PHARMACY IN NEXT FIVE YEARS

More than 1,100 additional roles in the pharmacy sector in Northern Ireland will be required over the next five years. The opportunities – which will see current vacancies filled as well as new roles created in response to the development of new pharmacy services – will include up to 560 community, hospital and general practice pharmacists and over 600 pharmacy technicians.

The search and recruitment will be supported by the ‘Pharmacy Futures NI’ joint campaign, launched today by the Department of Health for Northern Ireland and Pharmacy Forum NI – the professional leadership body for pharmacists in Northern Ireland.

Sheelin McKeagney, Chair of Pharmacy Forum NI, commented:

“Over the past decade in particular we have seen demand for pharmacists increase significantly as hospitals introduced seven day working and new roles have been created in the hospital and general practice sectors – many of which have been filled by experienced community pharmacists.

“While all of these factors have placed enormous pressures on the existing workforce, they have given us an opportunity to attract, recruit and retain more pharmacists into the sector in Northern Ireland.”

The requirement for the roles has been identified in the Department’s ‘Pharmacy Workforce Review’, also published today and which is designed to inform Health and Social Care (HSC) workforce development needs in the pharmacy sector over the next 10 years. Developed specifically to respond to the Review’s recommendations, ‘Pharmacy Futures NI’ is initially aimed at students thinking of entering the profession and pharmacists working away from home who may be thinking of returning to Northern Ireland.

Cathy Harrison, Chief Pharmaceutical Officer, Department of Health NI, explained:

“Over the last 30 years the pharmacy profession has been on a transition from the traditional dispensing of medicines to patient facing clinical roles. This expanding clinical role of pharmacists, supported by pharmacy technicians and adoption of technologies such as automation and robots, has resulted in greater effectiveness and importantly better health outcomes for patients.

“Consequently, these professional groups are in high demand and this will only continue to grow in the coming years – bringing a need to recruit additional pharmacists, alongside skilled pharmacy technicians and pharmacy support staff.”

The recommendations contained within the Review are consistent with proposals for UK-wide reform of the initial education and training of pharmacists in the coming years, which aim to ensure that pharmacy students are prepared for increasingly clinical roles in a multi-sector health environment across hospitals, general practice and community pharmacy.

Sheelin McKeagney, Chair of Pharmacy Forum NI, added:

“The Pharmacy Futures NI campaign will promote pharmacy as a career of choice in Northern Ireland – underpinned by a wide range of compelling factors such as greater opportunities for career progression and development, a fully integrated health and social care model, alongside the lower cost of living and quality of life for which the region is so well renowned.

“Through Pharmacy Futures NI, we will highlight the exciting new era into which the pharmacy profession in Northern Ireland is entering,” Mr McKeagney continued.

“For example, incoming changes to the initial education and training of pharmacists across the UK, which will include reform of the current pre-registration year, will fully equip our future pharmacists for a range of clinical roles working directly with patients to optimise their outcomes from medicines.”

“This, alongside many new service development interventions in pharmacy, will see the role of pharmacists expand to encompass a much wider range of clinical services and will enable pharmacists a greater focus on their remit as medicines experts.”

The Pharmacy Futures NI campaign will run from today, 9 November 2020, until early January 2021 and will feature range of creative initiatives, including videos, digital assets and website) which will act as a recruitment hub for those interested in pharmacy roles in Northern Ireland. Over 30 ‘Pharmacy Champions’ will act as key communicators during the campaign, charting their career pathways and sharing their career highlights and experiences in the profession.

For more information about the Pharmacy Futures NI info, visit www.pharmacyfuturesni.com

Health Minister Robin Swann has announced the publication of his Department’s Pharmacy Workforce Review.

The Review contains an analysis of the current pharmacy workforce in Northern Ireland and recommendations to inform the development of the pharmacy workforce over the next ten years.

Minister Swann said: “Pharmacists and their teams play an essential role in delivering health services to the people of Northern Ireland. This has been particularly evident in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic with pharmacy teams rising to the challenges posed by the emergency to adapt and maintain their services.

“With our aging population, our Health Service needs to care for increasing numbers of people with complex medical needs taking multiple medicines. Pharmacists with their unique set of skills and knowledge really are the medicines experts that our Health Service needs to help ensure that our people get the best possible outcomes from their medicines.

“Implementing the recommendations contained in the review will ensure that the pharmacy workforce has the necessary capability and capacity to fully support the transformation of our Health Service in the coming years.”

The recommendations contained within the Review are consistent with wider proposals for the UK-wide reform of the initial education and training of pharmacists previously announced by the UK pharmacy regulators, including the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland, in July 2020.

An early priority action for the Department, in response to the Review’s recommendations, is to take immediate steps to attract, recruit and retain more pharmacists in community, hospital and general practice roles within Northern Ireland.

Minister Swann added: “While some of the recommendations in the report will take time to implement fully, I am delighted to welcome today’s launch of ‘Pharmacy Futures NI’.

“This campaign will showcase the very best of our pharmacy profession, and demonstrate to current and future pharmacists from near and far why Northern Ireland is the best place to take the next step on their journey towards a rewarding career.”

Cathy Harrison, Chief Pharmaceutical Officer at the Department of Health added: “Our review has considered the full scope of pharmacy practice in HSC settings, including community pharmacy, general practice and hospitals. The recommendations contained within the report are ambitious and transformational for the pharmacy profession in Northern Ireland. Pharmacy teams are a critical part of the multi-disciplinary medicines optimisation workforce required to ensure that our people get the most from the medicines that they use every day, and are in high demand as a result.”

“Planned reforms of the initial education and training of pharmacists in the UK will see pharmacists taking on increasingly clinical roles across all sectors. Optimising the skill mix of the pharmacy workforce is an essential part of realising the full potential of these wider developments. A central theme of the Review is developing the role of pharmacy technicians within the workforce in tandem with progressing the regulation and registration of pharmacy technicians as registered professionals in their own right.”