Month: April 2021

The vaccine programme in Northern Ireland has fully opened for those aged 35 to 39. Anyone born between 01/04/81 and 30/04/86 can book an appointment at a regional vaccination centre or participating community pharmacy. However, where online booking is not possible, the telephone booking number is 0300 200 7813. Details of participating pharmacies and how to book are online.

Health Minister Robin Swann said:

“I can announce formally that from tomorrow we will fully open up the vaccination programme in Northern Ireland for all those aged over 35. I know this will be welcome news for those in this age group and I would urge people to book a vaccination appointment as soon as possible.

“This week we will see further easing of restrictions with the re-opening of non-essential retail, gyms, leisure facilities and some tourist accommodation. These easements have only been possible because of the success of the vaccination programme, coupled with the actions of the general public. Therefore I would appeal to everyone who is eligible for vaccination to get an appointment booked. I know there are some younger people that think they don’t need the vaccine but we have seen what this virus can do. So please protect yourself and get the vaccine.

“Vaccination is absolutely vital in helping us move through this pandemic. There is no doubt that there are people in Northern Ireland alive today because they have been vaccinated.”

People making bookings are asked to be patient, as demand for appointments is expected to be strong.

The ongoing roll-out of the vaccination programme will continue to be dependent on the availability of vaccine supplies.

By Pam Cameron MLA, Deputy Chair of the Health Committee and Chair of the All-Party Group on Community Pharmacy

The vaccination programme has been the beacon of hope we have all needed over the last number of months. Now that local pharmacists across the whole of Northern Ireland are administering the vaccine to their communities, we have even more hope of brighter days.

As Chair of the Assembly’s All-Party Group on Community Pharmacy, I was thrilled to see community pharmacies getting the green light to begin vaccinating the public against Covid-19 at the end last month.

Having the vaccine available on our high streets and in our communities is a hugely significant development as we take steps towards the return of normal life.

With nearly 350 community pharmacies in Northern Ireland involved, the vaccine is being delivered to eligible groups across Northern Ireland, taking our already brilliant vaccination programme up an extra gear.

This will of course be especially welcome news for those who might feel hesitant or have difficulties travelling to one of the mass vaccination centres. I was really heartened to hear an update from Community Pharmacy NI on the rollout of the vaccine at the most recent meeting of the All-Party Group on Community Pharmacy last week.

From a standing start and with a total stock of around 27,000 vaccines, community pharmacies have come on strongly to the vaccination programme. To date, a total of 12,000 first doses have taken place, 5,000 of these in the first week alone.

In little over two weeks since the service was launched, community pharmacy is reaching the halfway point in their stocks which just goes to show the demand for the service in our communities.

I have been really impressed to hear how well they have put in place the arrangements to get to this point so quickly. Eligible patients are able to use an interactive map to locate the most convenient participating pharmacy https://covid-19.hscni.net/community-pharmacy-covid-19-vaccination-service/ and this will also facilitate online booking in many pharmacies.

This is all the more impressive given the service was trialed, tested and implemented whilst the pandemic persists, and community pharmacists continue to see a surge in footfall and demand for services such as prescription medications.

The Health Minister demonstrated this ease of access when he, along with thousands of others, opted to receive his vaccine from a local community pharmacy.

As the vaccination programme moves into its next phase and expands to the wider population, accessibility and convenience are only going to become more important. The success of the vaccine rollout through community pharmacy to date is another key win on the road to getting life back to normal as quickly and safely as possible.

Health Minister Robin Swann has announced his support for a community pharmacy commissioning plan for 2021-22.

The Department of Health, working closely with the Health and Social Care Board (HSCB) and Community Pharmacy NI, the representative body for community pharmacy, have reached agreement on a commissioning plan for community pharmacy services for the year ahead.

Following a meeting today with the HSCB and Community Pharmacy NI, Health Minister Robin Swann said: “Community pharmacies have been playing a pivotal role in delivering health services to communities in Northern Ireland during the pandemic and it is clear that there is a very high level of public confidence in the professionalism and dedication shown by community pharmacies during what has been an extremely challenging year.

“I am very pleased to give my support to a community pharmacy commissioning plan for 2021-22 which builds on the agreement reached on last year and provides a coherent structure for the provision of community pharmacy services over the next 12 months.”

Gerard Greene, Chief Executive of Community Pharmacy Northern Ireland said: “Community Pharmacy teams across Northern Ireland have been invaluable in supporting patients and the health service throughout Covid. This year’s Commissioning Plan builds further on the services provided last year and it delivers further enhancements that will benefit and support patients over the coming 12 months. Community Pharmacy will play a central role in the rebuilding of the health service as we start to emerge from Covid and it is significant to have Ministerial, Health Service and Community Pharmacy support for this as well. This is another positive day for patients and the services they will receive from their local community pharmacy.”

Closely aligned with the health needs of local communities and the HSC, the focus in this year’s commissioning plan will be on provision of accessible services for the safe supply and use of medicines, activities to promote good physical and mental health, vaccination services, first point of contact for advice and treatment of common illnesses and support for patients in care homes and those receiving end of life care.

Cathy Harrison, Chief Pharmaceutical Officer at the Department of Health said: “Community pharmacies are the most accessible part of our health and social care service. This year’s agreement recognises the valued contribution that pharmacists and pharmacy staff in local communities have made and continue to make to the Covid pandemic response and recovery. Its delivery will help ensure that the public will be able to avail of high quality, professional advice and services from pharmacies across Northern Ireland.”

Joe Brogan, Head of Pharmacy and Medicines Management at the Health and Social Care Board said: “Our population has suffered substantially from the Covid pandemic. We also know that there were already significant health challenges facing society. The pandemic has exacerbated this need. During the emergency response to the pandemic, community pharmacy services were hugely important and through the 21/22 commissioning plan we have agreed, we wish to expand and develop services that not only respond to the health needs of our community but also develop interventions which improve health and wellbeing using the excellent resource that we have in our pharmacies.”

Minister Swann concluded: “In looking to the future, it is important that we continue to work together to consolidate and build on the significant successes we have had and continue to have.”

Northern Ireland’s Interim Mental Health Champion, Professor Siobhan O’Neill, has launched the “How Are You Feeling?” mental health campaign today in her local community pharmacy.

The campaign will run throughout April and May and is part of the ‘Living Well’ service that provides information and advice to customers on public health issues in over 500 pharmacies across Northern Ireland. It is delivered in partnership with the Public Health Agency (PHA), Community Pharmacy NI (CPNI), the Department of Health (DoH), and the Health and Social Care Board (HSCB).

By asking the question “How are you feeling?”, the campaign urges people to think about their mental health, and take the five steps to wellbeing.

The ‘Take 5 steps to Wellbeing’ are Connect; Be Active; Take Notice; Keep Learning and Give.

Community pharmacies across Northern Ireland have taken delivery of posters and information booklets, which are free to members of the public. The booklet is packed with lots of activities and ideas of how to build ‘Take 5’ into everyday life, as well as providing information on services that can provide help and support, both online and in the local community.

One of the key aspects of the campaign is to encourage pharmacists to put people in touch with local networks and services in their community that can provide support based on their individual needs.

Professor Siobhan O’Neill said of the campaign: “The impact of COVID-19 has had a profound effect on our wellbeing, and many of us have had periods of worry and loneliness over the past year. The pandemic has affected our work, family and social lives, and it is therefore so important that we look after our wellbeing, and connect with the people around us. Simply asking “How are you feeling?” can mean the world to someone who is struggling; it opens up opportunities to discuss ways of embedding self-care and positive habits into our daily lives. The ‘Take 5 steps to wellbeing’ are simple, but powerful activities, and the research shows that they improve our mental health and wellbeing.

“Pharmacies are a trusted and safe place in communities, and the staff are well placed to signpost people with mental health concerns to effective support. So I am delighted to endorse this campaign.”

Olive MacLeod Chief Executive at the Public Health Agency said: “It has been a tough year with the COVID-19 pandemic, and the impact on mental health and emotional wellbeing has been immense for many in our society. The Public Health Agency continues to work in partnership with Community Pharmacy NI, the Health and Social Care Board and the Department of Health to address the importance of early intervention and prevention to help people look after their mental wellbeing needs before they affect their quality of life, and equipping people with the support to deal with challenges. We hope the Living Well mental health campaign will help people build resilience and give them the tools to help themselves now and in the future.”

Gerard Green, Chief Executive at Community Pharmacy NI said:

“Community pharmacies are at the heart of our local communities with the public recognising pharmacists as trusted healthcare professionals. This makes community pharmacy the ideal platform to help encourage people to look after their mental health by engaging in initiatives such as ‘Take 5 steps to wellbeing’.”

Patrick McCallion from Lloyds Pharmacy added: “Lloyds Pharmacy is delighted to be taking part in the Living Well campaign. “How are you feeling?”,  is a question we ask many of our customers every day and some have certainly been struggling over these past few months with the impact of the pandemic on their mental wellbeing. We are pleased we can provide them with practical advice around how to use ‘Take 5 Steps’ in their daily lives and signpost them to information and support in our local area.”

To find out more about the “How Are you Feeling?” campaign and the supports and resources being promoted as part of the campaign visit www.mindingyourhead.info

Health Minister Robin Swann received his first Astra Zeneca vaccine today at a community pharmacy in Ballymena.

Speaking after receiving his jab at Ballee Pharmacy, Minister Swann said: “This has been a significant week for vaccine roll-out in Northern Ireland with the opening of the regional vaccination centre at The SSE Arena, the launch of our community pharmacy vaccination service and from today the extension of eligibility to the 45-49 year old age group.

“It will now also be a memorable week for me personally after receiving my first vaccine from the brilliant team at Ballee Pharmacy. I am very grateful to the team for joining the vaccination roll-out programme and to all the health care workers and volunteers throughout Northern Ireland who are administering thousands of vaccines to people here every day.

“Our vaccination programme continues to deliver exceptional results and while ultimate success is dependent on supplies, I think we can all be hopeful for brighter days.

“I am delighted to now join the almost 750,000 people in Northern Ireland who have received a Covid-19 vaccine and would encourage all those who are eligible to do the same. I have said it time and again, vaccines provide real hope for the future so please don’t delay, take advantage of the vaccine as soon as you can.”

Commenting on Health Minister Robin Swann MLA receiving his vaccine at Ballee Pharmacy, Ballymena, Chief Executive of Community Pharmacy NI, Gerard Greene said:

“We are delighted to see the Health Minister get the Covid vaccine from his local community pharmacy today.

“Since the community pharmacy programme launched on Monday, the uptake in local communities has already been strong and we expect this to grow as the service beds down in the coming days and weeks.

“The convenience of offering the vaccine in local pharmacies will undoubtedly help get more people vaccinated in a shorter period of time. It will also free up other healthcare settings and continue to ease the burden on our hospitals.

“We encourage anyone eligible who has yet to receive their vaccine to book with your local community pharmacy. It is encouraging that the age cohort has widened even further today to include those aged 45-49 and allowing more people to be protected against the vaccine. We would however ask the public to be patient and only book an appointment when your cohort has been announced.

Community pharmacies, like other vaccination providers have robust verification measures in place and proof of eligibility will be required when you attend a vaccination appointment. Patients who are not eligible for vaccination will have their appointments cancelled.

The vaccine is the greatest defence against Covid-19 and we are heartened to see the success of the vaccine programme within community pharmacies at this early stage.  

The ‘Distance Aware’ social distancing campaign recently launched by the Department of Health is being promoted widely in over 500 community pharmacies through the ‘Living Well’ service.

Living Well is a programme that provides information and advice to pharmacy customers on public health issues. It is delivered in partnership with the Public Health Agency (PHA), the Health and Social Care Board (HSCB) and Community Pharmacy NI (CPNI).  

The Distance Aware campaign uses a consistent and instantly recognisable symbol, the Distance Aware Shield, to help remind people to maintain social distance. Organisations and individuals can support the campaign by wearing a badge or displaying a poster with the Distance Aware Shield.

The badges are available in community pharmacies and can be worn by anyone to prompt others to maintain distance.

Olive MacLeod, Chief Executive at the PHA, said: “Community pharmacies are embedded in local communities and continue to play a key role in the fight against COVID-19. We welcome their support in promoting the social distancing message and distributing the Distance Aware badges to members of the public, especially to those who are clinically extremely vulnerable.

“We are making great strides with our vaccination programme, but it remains as important as ever that we all follow the public health advice – this includes washing our hands, wearing a face covering and keeping our distance.”

Vincent Harkin from Harkin Pharmacy Maghera said: “There has been a great appetite for the free Distance Aware badges, particularly from our older and more vulnerable customers. As more people become aware of the badge and its meaning, the more effective it will be for those who are wearing it, helping them to feel safer and less anxious when they are out and about.”

Gerard Greene, Chief Executive of CPNI, said: “Community pharmacy is delighted to support the promotion of this campaign, including the distribution of the Distance Aware badges. Community pharmacies are at the heart of communities, in convenient locations for people to access healthcare, with local community pharmacy teams recognised as trusted advisors for health and wellbeing concerns. Being distance aware, in addition to wearing face coverings, washing hands and the COVID-19 vaccination programme, are all important as we seek to emerge from this pandemic.”

The campaign is also being promoted through GP surgeries, Health and Social Care Trusts, and in the voluntary and community sector through the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA). Northern Ireland sporting bodies and supermarket retailer ASDA are also backing the campaign. Distance Aware badges are available from information points in all ASDA stores.

Joe Brogan, Head of Pharmacy and Medicines Management at the HSCB, said: “We are delighted to be able to support the Distance Aware campaign through the community pharmacy Living Well service. Our pharmacies have continued to provide accessible care and support to the public throughout the most challenging days of COVID-19 and are always a first port of call for advice from a trusted and respected healthcare professional.”

The Distance Aware campaign was launched in Wales last year and was adapted for use in Northern Ireland by the Department of Health, the Public Health Agency and the Patient and Client Council.