Community pharmacies across Northern Ireland have delivered a landmark one million consultations to patients through their “Living Well” public health service in the last three years. As frontline health services are facing year-round pressures, the Northern Ireland Health Minister has stated his ambition to move the focus of healthcare more towards disease prevention and early intervention – known as a “shift left”. The “Living Well” service provided by community pharmacies and supported by the Public Health Agency, is aimed at promoting key public health messages and advice to raise awareness and help address risk factors which contribute significantly to the overall prevalence of disease in Northern Ireland. Community pharmacists and pharmacy teams support major public health initiatives by offering targeted campaigns under the Living Well service, with each campaign running for two months in pharmacies across Northern Ireland. Campaigns include:

  • Cancer Awareness – spotting the signs; promotion of cancer screening
  • Mental Health – advice and signposting to services
  • Stay Well this Winter – preparing for winter with self-care (Flu, COVID and RSV vaccinations)
  • Sexual Health- (STIs, HPV, cervical screening and contraception)
  • Healthy Living –   live longer and stronger / staying active, know your alcohol units
  • Childhood health – MMR Vaccination
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has marked One Million patient consultations delivered through community pharmacies and the Public Health Agency’s Living Well service.  Pictured are (L-R): Aidan Dawson, Chief Executive of the Public Health Agency, Community Pharmacist Emma Heaney, Medicare Pharmacy, Gerard Greene, Chief Executive, Community Pharmacy NI (CPNI), Health Minister Mike Nesbitt and Colin Deehan, Medicare Pharmacy Group.

Northern Ireland Health Minister, Mike Nesbitt MLA said:“Reaching one million Living Well consultations is a remarkable milestone for health and wellbeing in Northern Ireland. It highlights the vital role community pharmacies play at the heart of Health and Social Care – supporting people close to home, empowering people to make positive choices and easing pressure on other services.“This neighbourhood approach is central to building healthier communities, and I want to thank our pharmacists and pharmacy teams for their dedication and commitment in supporting people every day.”

Gerard Greene, CEO of CPNI said:“As a population, we can collectively do more to adopt a healthy lifestyle and look after our own health, particularly to tackle some of the biggest health issues: cancer, obesity, heart disease and mental ill-health.“Through the highly trained and accessible health professionals in community pharmacies, there is a raft of support available to empower patients to make better choices to improve their own health and well-being, alongside many other important health interventions.“Feedback from patients and pharmacists captured in Living Well evaluation reports continually demonstrates the vital role pharmacies play in preventive healthcare and tackling health inequalities.“With such a well-established service, there is a real opportunity to build upon it further and really start to generate change within local neighbourhoods where community pharmacies are embedded.“ I would like to thank community pharmacy teams across Northern Ireland in achieving this milestone and to recognise the role they play in making a positive and lasting impact on the health and well-being of their local communities.”

Aidan Dawson, CEO of the Public Health Agency (PHA) added:“Community pharmacies are at the heart of local neighbourhoods, and this significant milestone for the Living Well programme reflects the important role they play as a trusted source of health advice and information. With a shared goal of making Northern Ireland healthier, working in partnership through programmes such as Living Well and involving community pharmacy teams who have expertise and local knowledge, together we can support people throughout their lives.”

Six MLAs have made visits to local pharmacies this week to speak to staff about their role in supporting patients who require palliative care in the community.

Alliance Party Deputy Leader Eóin Tennyson, UUP MLA Doug Beattie, and DUP MLA Diane Dodds visited Daly’s Pharmacy in Banbridge, while Alliance Party MLA Connie Egan, UUP MLA Alan Chambers and DUP MLA Peter Martin met with staff at Sweeney’s Pharmacy in Holywood.

The visits mark Palliative Care Week, 7-13 September, which is an annual, all-island campaign aimed at raising public awareness and increasing understanding of palliative care and its benefits.

Community Pharmacist Ellen Gault from Daly’s Pharmacy in Banbridge is joined by Alliance Party Deputy Leader Eóin Tennyson, UUP MLA Doug Beattie, and DUP MLA Diane Dodds.

Data previously published by leading end of life charity, Marie Curie, found that the demand for palliative care in Northern Ireland is expected to grow by more than 32% by 2048 (from 15,500 people in 2023 to 20,500 in 2048) due to an aging population, an increase in chronic illnesses, and the increased presence of two or more long-term health conditions within the population.

Alliance Party MLA Connie Egan, UUP MLA Alan Chambers and DUP MLA Peter Martin met Community Pharmacist David Marshall at Sweeney’s Pharmacy in Holywood alongside Marie Curie Specialist Palliative Care Pharmacist Chris Black.

Palliative care is currently provided by all community pharmacies with patients and carers encouraged to use their regular pharmacy to obtain medication in the first instance, however Daly’s and Sweeney’s are amongst the more than 75 pharmacies in Northern Ireland which are currently signed up to the ‘Daffodil Standards’ – a set of guidelines developed by The Royal Pharmaceutical Society in partnership with Marie Curie, which help pharmacists to maintain good practice in providing palliative and end of life care.

At their visits, MLAs heard first-hand how local pharmacists play a key role in supporting those living with a terminal illness, and their families and carers, by providing quality, personalised care both at the end of life and following a bereavement.

Eóin Tennyson MLA, said: “What stood out to me today in Daly’s was the commitment of the team here at the pharmacy in supporting those living with life-limiting conditions, as well as their families and carers, at some of the most difficult times in their lives. They provide a familiar face, advice, support, and continuity of care in the community which can’t be matched or replicated anywhere else in the health service.”

David Marshall, Community Pharmacist at Sweeney’s Pharmacy Holywood, said:

 “We link in closely with the Marie Curie Hospice in East Belfast, as well as with local district nursing teams, GPs, carers and families who come through the door for things such as prescriptions, medicines, advice and signposting. Since signing up to the Daffodil Standards and rolling out the education to our staff, we’ve noticed an improvement in their confidence in assisting people with palliative care needs. I would definitely encourage other pharmacies who are interested in registering, to do so.”

Launched in Northern Ireland in March of this year, the Daffodil Standards for pharmacies are supported by the Department of Health, Pharmacy Forum NI and Community Pharmacy NI.

To find out more about the Daffodil Standards and to register for a free welcome pack, search ‘Marie Curie Daffodil Standards’ or visit mariecurie.org.uk.