Category: News

The latest Living Well initiative showcases how community pharmacies across Northern Ireland are on hand to offer advice and support on a wide range of winter illnesses that can help you during the colder months.

‘Stay Well this Winter’ is running in over 500 pharmacies across Northern Ireland as part of the Living Well service and provides information and advice on how you can protect your health over the winter months and the support available to you through your community pharmacy. It is delivered in partnership with the Public Health Agency (PHA), Community Pharmacy NI (CPNI), and the Department of Health (DoH).

The campaign will run during October 2025 and November 2025 and covers everything from self-care to vaccine advice and eligibility.

Andrew Cheung, Principal Pharmaceutical Officer (Public Health) at the PHA, said: “Winter conditions can be seriously bad for our health, particularly for the more vulnerable members of our community. The most common cause of winter hospital admissions is respiratory illness. Older people and those with long-term health conditions such as asthma, diabetes or COPD are particularly vulnerable. This campaign aims to help the public prepare for the winter months by encouraging them to plan ahead and take positive steps towards better health and to help avoid the need for hospital admission by advising them on how to care for themselves, and to visit their pharmacy for advice if needed.

“The ‘Stay Well’ campaign begins on the first October, and your pharmacist can provide advice on the steps you can take to prepare for the winter period, such as getting the free winter vaccines if eligible, recommending over-the-counter remedies, as well as providing advice on keeping warm and active and looking after your mental well-being.”

This campaign aims to help the public prepare for the winter months by encouraging them to plan ahead and take positive steps towards better health by advising them on how to care for themselves, and to visit their pharmacy for advice if needed.

Joanne McMullan, Community Pharmacist at Portaferry Pharmacy, said: “Pharmacists are well positioned in the community to offer advice and support about different health matters that may arise over the winter months. All colds and most coughs, sinusitis, earache and sore throats get better without antibiotics. You should take your pharmacist or GP’s advice and only take antibiotics when you need them. Pharmacists can recommend over-the-counter medicines for most minor illnesses, so consider speaking to a pharmacist before going to your GP.”

The following steps can help you stay well this winter;

• ‘Catch it. Bin it. Kill it’ – carry tissues and use them to catch coughs or sneezes, then bin the tissue.
• Wash your hands – regularly wash your hands throughout the day and hands should always be washed before eating or drinking and after using the toilet.
• Rest up – know when to stay home to stop the spread. If you have a high temperature stay home until you feel better or if you have diarrhoea and/or vomiting, you should stay home for at least 48 hours after the last episode.
• Speak to your pharmacist about over-the-counter remedies and remember antibiotics don’t work on viruses.
• Winter vaccines – if eligible get your COVID-19, flu  or  RSV vaccine.
• Keeping warm over winter months can prevent colds, flu and more serious health problems. Wear warm clothes, even indoors if it is cold and heat your main living room to around 18-21ºC (64-70ºF). But it is important to make sure your heating is safe. Install a carbon monoxide alarm to reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Eat well – food is a source of energy which helps to keep your body warm. Try to make sure you have hot meals and drinks regularly throughout the day.
• Keep active – regular exercise can help improve your physical and mental health, reduce the risk of falls and can be beneficial for recovery if you do get ill.
• Seek support – if you feel down and it affecting your life see www.mindingyourhead.info for advice, if you need more support make an appointment with your GP.
• Look out for others, such as older family members, friends or neighbours, who may need a bit of extra help during winter.

To learn more, pick up a free Stay Well this Winter leaflet in your local participating community pharmacy or speak to a member of the pharmacy team.

For more information on how you can look after yourself and those close to you this winter,’ see www.pha.site/Staywellthiswinter

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

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.

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.

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.

A new campaign has been launched in community pharmacies across Northern Ireland, encouraging everyone to get more physically active in their everyday lives.

‘Move More, Feel Better’ is running in over 500 community pharmacies as part of the Living Well service which highlights the role of pharmacy teams in providing advice and support to help people get more active and is delivered in partnership with the Public Health Agency (PHA), Community Pharmacy NI (CPNI), and the Department of Health (DoH).

The ‘Move More, Feel Better’ initiative aims to raise awareness of the many physical and mental health benefits of being more active – and how simple, small changes to daily routines can make a big difference. Whether it’s taking the stairs instead of the lift, walking or cycling instead of driving, or even getting off the bus a stop early – the message is clear, every movement counts.

David Tumilty, Health Improvement Manager at the PHA, said:

“Being active doesn’t mean spending hours in the gym – it’s about finding small opportunities to move more each day. Even a little bit of regular activity can boost your mood, reduce stress, improve sleep, and help manage or prevent conditions like heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and some cancers.

“Through this campaign, we want to remind people that physical activity is one of the most important things you can do for your health and wellbeing – and it’s never too late to start.”

Pharmacies taking part in the Living Well service will display campaign materials and offer leaflets with practical tips on how to become more active. Staff will also be on hand to offer further advice and support to help individuals make changes that suit their lifestyle.

Patrick Kennedy, Community Pharmacist from Kennedy’s Pharmacy in Rasharkin, said:

“As pharmacists, we’re in a great position to talk to people about their health, and we see first-hand how even small lifestyle changes can have a big impact. I regularly speak with people about managing long-term health conditions and physical activity is one of the most effective ways to prevent and support the treatment of many common issues.

“Small changes like walking more or reducing sedentary time can have a big impact on overall health. The first step is simple, just ask your pharmacist for advice – we’re here to help you get started.”

The ‘Move More, Feel Better’ campaign also highlights how physical activity can:

• Improve mental health and quality of life
• Boost energy levels and confidence
• Ease joint and back pain
• Help with weight management

Next time you visit your local community pharmacy, look out for the campaign displays and pick up a ‘Move More, Feel Better’ leaflet for tips on getting active in ways that work for you.

For more information on the campaign and how to get started, visit www.pha.site/livingwell.

Notes to editors

The campaign runs in participating pharmacies throughout August and September 2025.

Before all thoughts turn to summer holidays, the body representing community pharmacists, CPNI, has briefed politicians on the need for a whole service, whole community approach to tackling this winter’s health pressures.

Presenting to a cross-party group of MLAs at Stormont this week, Gerard Greene, Chief Executive of Community Pharmacy Northern Ireland (CPNI) discussed how creatively exploring funding opportunities within health service budgets to enable community-based health services could be key in averting the health service crisis seen in previous winters.

He said, “Last winter our hospital Emergency Departments witnessed some of the worst scenes ever experienced here.  Community Pharmacy has been closely involved in the Department of Health’s winter preparedness planning over recent months, and we would like to acknowledge the Minister Nesbitt and officials for driving this forward. 

“We are pleased that the value and contribution of Community Pharmacy is being recognised as a pivotal part of the Minister’s “shift left” approach.  Winter is a test for the whole health service and our integration in winter planning will ensure pharmacies are ready to step up.

“Through Pharmacy First, the Department of Health has invested in services aimed at keeping people well in their communities, close to home – and as a key way of alleviating the pressure from other stretched parts of the health service.  Community pharmacies provide highly skilled, highly trained healthcare professionals who can advise and treat many common ailments.  Pharmacy First services such as advice and treatment when needed for sore throat, shingles and urinary tract infections mean that GP appointments are freed up.

“One of last year’s biggest additional health service pressures came from the pre-Christmas winter flu outbreak which snowballed across the generations over the festive period.  There is a highly effective tool to tackle such outbreaks in the form of vaccination, and community pharmacies will be heavily involved in the Covid and winter flu vaccination service from the autumn. We will be actively encouraging eligible members of the public to seek out the vaccinations in their local pharmacy, when they are available, and our pharmacists will also deliver the important vaccination programme in nursing and residential homes.  This too is aimed at keeping older people well where they live and out of hospital.

Community pharmacies are based at the heart of towns and villages, they should be the first point of contact into the health service and by offering expert advice, treatment and services they can help us all to stay well, ease some of the winter pressures and relieve pressure on GPs and emergency hospital services.”

The Living Well ‘Stay well this winter’ campaign ran throughout December 2024 and January 2025 and aimed to help the public prepare for the winter months by encouraging them to take actions to protect their health.

The patient stories captured in the evaluation, including the one below, show the positive impact community pharmacy teams have on the health and well-being of the local community.

“There is a local hostel near our pharmacy. We spoke with several residents about hand hygiene and staying well over winter. We encouraged those eligible for flu vaccines to get protected — later, some residents told us they had received their vaccines after our chat.”

Read more of the patient stories here.