Month: November 2021

Chief Medical Officer Professor Sir Michael McBride received his COVID 19 booster vaccination today at a walk-in COVID-19 clinic in North Belfast organised by McKenzies Pharmacy.

This comes as nearly 200,000 primary vaccine doses and 40,000 booster doses of COVID 19 vaccine have been administered by community pharmacies across NI.

Community pharmacist Peter Rice administered Sir Michael’s booster dose at the Houben Centre. He remarked that there has been a “significant” increase in people presenting for first doses in recent days. With about 30% of doses administered at the minute are for first doses.

In the wake of persistent and widespread workforce pressures, community pharmacists have voted overwhelmingly to cease providing medicines in compliance aids such as medicines trays for new patients from 1st December 2021.

At a meeting of community pharmacist contractors last week, 97% voted to close the medicine adherence service to new patients from the start of next month. Faced with mounting pressures and without the appropriate investment, community pharmacists have serious concerns about their ability to continue providing this non-commissioned service, that is delivered largely on a goodwill basis.

The service involves community pharmacists supporting patients in the community to manage their medicines, and involves an in-depth pharmacist consultation, continuous monitoring, medicines provision in a specialised container, and regular and ongoing collaboration between a patient, their family, and the pharmacist.

Community pharmacists have continually warned that due to sustained workforce pressures and increasing staffing shortages, they would reach a point at which they could no longer accept new patients if they were to ensure the safe delivery of commissioned core services, including the dispensing of medicines and Covid-19 vaccination and Booster services.

Chief Executive of Community Pharmacy NI, Gerard Greene said:

“Due to increasing pressures, community pharmacists must prioritise core services and the contractor vote to cease providing new patients requiring non-commissioned compliance aid services was not taken lightly. We are now in a position which no community pharmacist wants to be in but continuing to accept new patients whilst managing an already demanding workload, coupled with severe workforce shortages would put both patient safety and commissioned pharmacy services at risk.

“Community pharmacists are an essential part of the delivery of the adherence service, using their clinical skills at a community level to support patients in managing their medicines safely. They want to continue to support their patients but only via a service commissioned and appropriately funded by the Health and Social Care Board.”

Community Pharmacist Peter Rice said:

“As essential primary healthcare providers, it deeply concerns me that we have arrived at this point, but my staff are stretched extremely thinly, and we cannot continue to take-in new patients for the service without the appropriate resources in support.

“As part of this service, we have been assisting patients, often those who are elderly, to safely manage their medicines at home and in the community, reducing the need for patients to be transferred to other settings such as hospitals. It is worrying that by not commissioning this service, there could be additional and avoidable hospital pressures.

“We are continually approached by new patients and their families who want to avail of the medicines adherence service, and as healthcare providers we want to help. Without the support from the Department to do this, we have to protect core services until a solution can be found.

In response to an interview about medicine supplies on Good Morning Britain this morning, Gerard Greene, Chief Executive of Community Pharmacy NI said:

The vaccination dashboard records that 152,789 boosters have now been administered in Northern Ireland, with a further 12,703 third doses also provided.

“I am pleased to see the numbers climbing,” Health Minister Robin Swann stated. “I have been assured that to date more than half a million vaccine doses have now been ordered for the booster dose, with most of it already delivered.

“These vaccines have a short shelf life so we can expect to see the numbers growing rapidly on the dashboard in the coming weeks.

“The booster programme for eligible sections of the general public is being led by GPs and pharmacies, with health trusts vaccinating their staff with boosters as well as care home staff and residents. Community pharmacies are also delivering boosters for frontline staff not employed by Trusts.

“While the welcome increase in booster numbers reflects very hard work by a health system under severe pressure, I want to see the total climb further and faster.

“I have tasked officials with developing further initiatives to complement the current work. I am pleased to report that these are being finalised and should include a programme of walk-in and pop-up clinics – for booster doses, as well as vaccination opportunities for 12-17-year-olds, and for first and second doses generally. Further details of these initiatives will be made public shortly.”

The Head of Northern Ireland’s vaccination programme has urged people to come forward for their booster when their turn comes.

Speaking after receiving her own booster jab of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine at Cooper’s Pharmacy in Belfast, Patricia Donnelly, said: “We are continuing to see high Covid infection rates so the booster programme is very important. Boosting the immune response after people have received their initial double vaccination course helps to sustain protection against Covid-19. Many people may receive a different vaccine from their 1st two doses and people can be reassured that this is both appropriate and safe.

“Thanks to GP, pharmacy and Trust teams who have now administered over 150,000 boosters since the roll out began a few weeks ago.” 

Chief Executive of Community Pharmacy NI, Gerard Greene, said: “Over 240 community pharmacies across Northern Ireland are involved in the Booster programme and will be on hand to ensure that those eligible can access the vaccine in a convenient, accessible location.

“The booster vaccine is vital in our preparation against Covid-19 this winter – it will help protect not just the public, but the most vulnerable and our health service which is already under extreme pressure. Already we are seeing very strong demand with people wanting to get their Booster vaccine from community pharmacies across Northern Ireland and I would encourage those still eligible, to contact their local participating pharmacy and get the vaccine.”

Michael Cooper, Community Pharmacist, Cooper’s Pharmacy Belfast, said: “I would encourage everyone who is eligible to come forward to get their booster. It is very easy and accessible to get your booster at your local community pharmacy and it is the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones.”

Those who are eligible for a booster at least six months on from their second dose include:

• those living in care homes
• all adults aged 50 years or over
• frontline health and social care workers
• all those aged 16 to 49 years with underlying health conditions that put them at higher risk of severe COVID-19
• adult carers (including foster carers) 
• adult household contacts of immunosuppressed individuals

More information is available on nidirect: www.nidirect.gov.uk/covidvaccine

Community pharmacies across Northern Ireland will provide a Pharmacy First service again this winter, encouraging patients to contact their local community pharmacy for help with everyday health conditions, including common winter ailments.

The Pharmacy First service enables patients to have a consultation virtually or in a private area with their local community pharmacist. Each month over 10,000 consultations for minor ailments take place in our community pharmacies.

Many common winter conditions can potentially be self-managed. These often require little or no medical intervention. Many people who consult GPs for common conditions could instead be assisted by a community pharmacist.

Pharmacists can offer advice and treatment for a wide range of common conditions.  These include winter health conditions like common colds to everyday health conditions such as head lice, athlete’s foot, diarrhea and hemorrhoids.  If necessary, pharmacists can 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, and those isolating due to COVID-19, who are unable to get medical advice for winter and COVID care.

There is overlap between the symptoms of COVID19 and those of other winter conditions such as; sore throat, headache, myalgia, sneezing, runny nose, cough, cold and other flu-like illness. Patients presenting to the Pharmacy First service with any of these symptoms may receive advice and when necessary medicines to alleviate their symptoms.

Anyone experiencing any COVID symptoms such as high temperature, continuous cough or loss of taste or smell should NOT go into the pharmacy.

The Pharmacy First service will be available from participating community pharmacies from 8^th November 2021 until 31^st March 2022.  All patients registered with a GP in Northern can use this service, with the exception of temporary residents and patients living in nursing or residential homes.

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. Community pharmacy teams are now developing their role as an integral part of the Health Service, and are delivering a range of services. 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 everyday health conditions, and relieve pressures on other acute care providers such as GPs and Emergency Departments.”

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

“Community pharmacists have played an important role throughout this pandemic and will continue to do so this winter. I would encourage anyone who has a minor ailment health condition like a sore throat or a cold to think Pharmacy First. Community pharmacists have the skills, expertise and experience to provide advice and treatment for a range of common conditions. This will help GP practices, GP out-of-hours services and Emergency Departments over the coming months when winter ailments illnesses occur more frequently.”

Chief Executive of Community Pharmacy NI, Gerard Greene continued:

“The launch of the Pharmacy First service for everyday health conditions at community pharmacies comes at a time when the health service is under tremendous strain, and on course for further winter pressures. As a community health asset, community pharmacy continues to be front door to the health service, providing expert clinical assessments, advice and treatments to patients. The Pharmacy First service allows community pharmacies to manage health conditions such as sore throats and the common cold close to home and at a convenient time, benefiting the patient and easing some of the pressures being felt in other parts of the health service.”

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Community pharmacists from across Northern Ireland are encouraging the public to ‘Ask Your Pharmacist’ as part of an awareness raising week on the value and importance of our local community pharmacies.

The week, an initiative by the National Pharmacy Association, is an opportunity to highlight the full range of services available through community pharmacy this autumn and winter, including Covid-19 vaccination, booster jabs and the winter flu vaccination programme.

Amid increasing pressures being felt across primary care, Community Pharmacy NI is reminding the public that community pharmacies, whilst not immune to their own pressures, are an essential community health asset and can take some of the strain off other parts of the health service.

Community Pharmacy NI has recently elected west Belfast pharmacist Peter Rice as its new Chair for the next two years.

Newly elected Chair of Community Pharmacy NI, Peter Rice said:

“Coming into the role of Chair at such a crucial time for the health service, I am pleased to be able to showcase the full range of services community pharmacy is able to provide to patients. Recent months have seen the sector pivot to become the leading facilitator of Covid-19 vaccinations in Northern Ireland. We recently surpassed the 153,000-vaccine doses milestone and are providing booster jabs as part of the next vaccination phase.

“As primary care providers, we are acutely aware of local healthcare pressures and the difficulties some patients find in accessing parts of the health service.

“This Ask Your Pharmacist Week we would like to remind our patients that our community pharmacy teams are there to help.”

Vincent Harkin from Harkin’ Pharmacy in Maghera commented:

 “All year round our community pharmacists have worked hard to support patients and provide help. This year’s Ask Your Pharmacist Week presents an opportunity for us to reflect on their commitment to patient care as an essential part of our health service’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic.  

“As we move ahead into the autumn and winter, I would encourage the public to get behind the message of this year’s campaign: ‘Your local pharmacy can help’, especially with pharmacy providing a whole range of services, running alongside dispensing. We expect there to be additional flu and Covid-19 pressures in the time ahead, so it is really encouraging that the continuity of care is there, and community pharmacy will be there once again to support patients throughout.”