Category: News

Community Pharmacy welcomes the Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Programme 2021/22 letter issued by the Department of Health today, which confirms an enhanced role for community pharmacists in the flu vaccination programme this winter, following the network’s success in delivering previous flu vaccination services with almost 16,000 people vaccinated in last year’s campaign.

The Community Pharmacy Seasonal Influenza Vaccination (CPFV) service, beginning in early October is open to those who are aged 50 years and over* and Frontline Health and Social Care Workers with hundreds of community pharmacies across Northern Ireland providing the service.

Community Pharmacy NI, the representative body for all community pharmacies across Northern Ireland, welcomes this greater role and they encourage everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated to do their bit to minimise the spread of the seasonal flu, alleviate pressures across the health service and protect the most vulnerable in our society.

Over 350 community pharmacies are currently playing a central role in the Community Pharmacy COVID-19 Vaccination service, which will continue to run into the winter period, with pharmacies also set to play a key role in the booster programme.

Chief Executive of Community Pharmacy NI, Gerard Greene said:

“The flu vaccine is vital in protecting the most vulnerable in our society. Community pharmacies across Northern Ireland welcome the expansion of this service and urge anyone who can access the vaccine to do so.

“This winter is expected to be incredibly tough on our health service, with a harsh flu season anticipated, alongside the ongoing battle against COVID-19. The expansion to those over 50 years old * and Frontline Health and Social Care Workers gives the public the option of getting their flu vaccine at a convenient, accessible location with a local pharmacist they know and trust.

“Following on from a successful Community Pharmacy flu vaccination service last winter when almost 16,000 flu vaccine doses were administered, this year’s Community Pharmacy winter flu vaccination service will run alongside the COVID-19 vaccine programme which will include an enhanced and vital role for community pharmacy in the COVID-19 booster programme”

“The threat of COVID-19 has made the need for vaccines even more crucial, and we strongly advise all those eligible to contact your local pharmacy team and get your winter flu vaccine. It is not just your health you protect when you are vaccinated, it is those most vulnerable in our society and the health service that is already working beyond capacity.”

Community Pharmacist, Raymond Anderson said:

“We are thrilled to be offering even more members of our community the opportunity to receive a flu vaccine at their local pharmacy. Community pharmacy has demonstrated it can deliver vaccination programmes successfully and the expansion of this service is welcomed by not only the profession, but also the public.

“The flu is a lot more debilitating than a cold with harsher symptoms that can leave people in need of medical attention. The flu vaccine is the best protection the health service can offer from the seasonal flu. We strongly encourage all within our community who are eligible for the flu vaccine to get in touch. It will protect you and your loved ones this winter.”

*Patients in at risk groups should contact their GP.

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The purpose of the group is to raise awareness of the vital role played by the community pharmacy network within health and social care in Northern Ireland; to provide a forum for MLAs and those in the community pharmacy sector to collaborate and discuss various issues relating to community pharmacy; to discuss and explore how community pharmacy can play a key role in the transformation of the health service; and how community pharmacy can support policy-makers in bringing forward evidence based policy ideas that improve health and social care in Northern Ireland.

Further information and Membership is available here.

Monday 6 September was the launch of this year’s HSC mental and emotional wellbeing campaign ‘Holding On To Hope in a Changing World’.

A five week social media campaign will link World Suicide Prevention Day on Friday 10 September through to World Mental Health Day on 10October.

The six Health and Social Care Trusts in Northern Ireland have joined forces with the Public Health Agency (PHA) to create the campaign to raise awareness of what we can do for ourselves and others to nurture hope in these challenging times. It encourages everyone to hold on to hope to protect our mental and emotional wellbeing, as well as raising awareness of local and national services that are available to help those who need it.

One of the key elements of the campaign is the Hope Quiz. This is a short multiple choice quiz that will determine your current levels of hope. The interactive quiz will direct you to resources, tips and advice that will help improve a sense of hopefulness and promote better mental and emotional wellbeing.

The Hope Quiz and Interactive Campaign Pack will be available on the www.mindingyourhead.info website.

Fiona Teague Mental Health and Suicide Prevention lead at the Public Health Agency said: “We are all living through difficult times – the COVID-19 pandemic has affected each of us differently, some more than others. People’s mental and emotional wellbeing has been challenged in ways they may have never experienced before. The Hope Quiz is a very useful way to check in on ourselves and see where and if we may be struggling. The Campaign Pack will help people to navigate through what they are experiencing and access the right advice and support they need to get them to a better place.

“Research has shown that having a sense of hope helps us to reach our goals in life and is a powerful way of supporting mental wellbeing. People who are more hopeful make healthier lifestyle choices, are more likely to achieve their goals, can cope with and recover from illness much better, and have a stronger sense of meaning and purpose among other tangible benefits.

“Over the coming weeks we will be working collaboratively across the HSC Trusts with the support of the Health and Social Care Board to promote the campaign along with our partners in COVIDWellbeingNI network, the community and voluntary sector and local councils.”

Professor Siobhan O’Neill, Interim Mental Health Champion, said: “Hope is fundamental to good mental health. It is a makes us more likely to overcome barriers exercise agency, and achieve fulfilling goals. It is associated with lower anxiety, and better grades. Importantly, it is a skill that we can learn. By integrating activities that promote hope into our day to day lives we can alter our mindset and do things that previously seemed overwhelming or impossible. Despite the difficulties we have experienced in the past year there remains much to be hopeful for. We have seen communities come together to support the vulnerable in an unprecedented way, and we have learnt that rapid positive change is possible. I would encourage everyone to explore the resources for this campaign. They contain information, and simple evidence-based techniques to promote, hope, gratitude and wellbeing.”

This week also marks World Suicide Prevention Day on Friday 10 September. It is vitally important to remind people that if they or someone they know is experiencing a crisis, that the 24/7crisis helpline Lifeline (0808 808 8000) is available at all times.

Fiona added: “We hope that encouraging people to take the Hope Quiz will give people a chance to think about what their needs are at this time and explore the resources that have been compiled in one place to help prevent people reaching crisis point. We encourage people to recognise the signs in themselves and others and know where they can get help as early as possible.

“It is important to remember that mental health services continue to operate across Northern Ireland at this time. If you are concerned about your physical or emotional wellbeing, you should contact your GP.”

• Visit www.mindingyourhead.info to access the Interactive Campaign Pack and Hope Quiz and COVIDWellbeingNI Hub

• If you, or someone you know, is in crisis and struggling to cope, call Lifeline and speak to a counsellor immediately 0808 808 8000

• Follow #HoldingOnToHope21 for latest campaign information and updates

The Health Minister has launched a new ‘Pharmacy Collect’ service which enables people to collect rapid COVID-19 tests from selected community pharmacies.

“Alongside vaccination and contact tracing, testing is one of the main pillars of protection against the virus,” the Health Minister said.

“1 in 3 people who have COVID-19 have no symptoms, or are pre-symptomatic. The introduction of the Pharmacy Collect service will significantly increase the range of locations that people who require rapid tests can access them.

“The service supplements the existing workforce testing schemes and other community collect sites, which can all be found using the Sitefinder website.

“By engaging in rapid COVID testing, we can help keep each other safe and play our part in helping society return to normality.”

To date 420 pharmacies in Northern Ireland have signed up for the scheme.

Rapid COVID-19 tests – known as Lateral Flow Device (LFD) tests – have an important role in detecting asymptomatic cases. This means people who are infected but are showing no symptoms and may be unwittingly passing the virus on to others. Testing twice a week and on a regular basis with LFDs increases their detection rate. LFD tests are effective at picking up those who are most infectious.

Rapid tests are available for anyone who requires them. All results should be reported. Where someone receives a positive test, they should immediately self-isolate and book a confirmatory PCR test.

Cathy Harrison, Chief Pharmaceutical Officer said: “The contribution of community pharmacy teams to the COVID-19 pandemic response has been invaluable and the introduction of the new Pharmacy Collect service will improve access to testing for the general public.

“This is another step forward to people getting their normal lives back. Many people with COVID-19 have mild or no symptoms, but they can continue to spread the virus. Rapid tests, in conjunction with the wearing of masks, regular hand washing and social distancing, can help to prevent onward transmission of the virus.”

Reacting to the launch of the Pharmacy Collect Service for rapid Covid-19 tests, Vice-Chair of Community Pharmacy NI, Peter Rice said:

“The introduction of the Lateral Flow Device (LFD) distribution service to community pharmacy will greatly increase the public’s access to testing at a crucial time. As we enter what is expected to be an even more difficult period for our health service, tests will now be available for collection from over 400 community pharmacies throughout Northern Ireland. By increasing access to testing at a local level we can help to prevent the transmission of the virus within our communities.

“This further demonstrates the desire of our community pharmacy network to deliver new services throughout the course of the pandemic. Having this service in our pharmacies is another significant step forward and supplements our role in the vaccination effort to date.”

 A campaign that aims to promote the early diagnosis of cancer by raising awareness of the signs and symptoms has been launched in community pharmacies throughout Northern Ireland as part of the Living Well service.

Be Cancer Aware highlights the role of community pharmacy in providing advice and support, and encourages people who may be experiencing symptoms to talk to their GP without delay.

The campaign, which will run throughout August and September, also aims to promote lifestyle changes to help reduce the risk of developing cancers and encourages anyone who wants to make positive changes but needs help to speak to their pharmacist.

Living Well, offered in over 500 pharmacies across Northern Ireland, provides information and advice on public health issues. It is delivered in partnership with the Public Health Agency (PHA), Community Pharmacy NI (CPNI), and the Health and Social Care Board (HSCB).

Dr Louise Herron, Consultant in Service Development and Screening at the PHA, said:

“The earlier cancer is diagnosed, the greater the chances of survival as treatment is more likely to be successful. During the COVID-19 pandemic many people may have concerns about a change they have noticed in their body, but might be hesitant to contact their GP. However, it is important not to delay going to your GP if you develop a sign or symptom which has the potential to be cancer.

“We are urging people to get checked early if they have any concerns. It is important for everyone to be aware of warning signs which need to be investigated. Spotting cancer early could save your life.”

Claire Hewitt, Pharmacy Manager at Gordons Chemists in Lisburn, 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 setting to help encourage people to look after their health by engaging in initiatives such as the Be Cancer Aware campaign.

“We can help support you make those lifestyle changes that could reduce your risk of cancer. The first step is simple, just ask your pharmacist for advice.”

As part of the campaign, community pharmacies across Northern Ireland are providing free information booklets, ‘Be Cancer Aware – Spotting symptoms and reducing your risk’, to members of the public.

In addition to the campaign materials, further information can be found at www.becancerawareni.info The website supports the cancer awareness campaign and provides information about cancer signs and symptoms, explains what to do if concerned and signposts individuals to recommended sources of support and further information.

Health Minister Robin Swann has welcomed an expansion of the community pharmacy COVID-19 vaccination service with the phased deployment of the Moderna vaccine.

The vaccine will be available to eligible individuals aged 18 years and over.

The roll out builds on the success of the existing COVID-19 vaccination service, which has now delivered over 115,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine from almost 350 community pharmacies across Northern Ireland.

The new service will initially offer the Moderna vaccine from 16 pharmacies with more pharmacies being added to the service on a rolling basis over the coming weeks.

Locations have been identified and selected on the basis of vaccine uptake data in order to help reach as many people as possible in areas of lower uptake and to make it easier than ever for people to get their vaccine and protect themselves and their loved ones.

Minister Swann said: “Community pharmacy teams across Northern Ireland have already risen to the challenge by delivering over 115,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, while continuing to provide their vital services to people in their communities at a time of immense pressure across the health and social care system.

“As well as the continued availability of the AstraZeneca vaccine to individuals over 40, the additional availability of the Moderna vaccine to eligible individuals aged 18 years and over will also provide more locations where those people who haven’t yet come forward to receive their vaccine to do so now.

“While the logistical challenges with deployment of the Moderna vaccine are considerable, the number of participating pharmacies offering Moderna will continue to increase over the coming weeks and this will help many more people to come forward to access their vaccine in an easy and convenient location for them.”

Cathy Harrison, Chief Pharmaceutical Officer said: “Pharmacy teams across Northern Ireland should be very proud of the contribution they have made to the success of the COVID-19 vaccination programme. Their actions have undoubtedly saved lives.

“The deployment of the Moderna vaccine from an increasing number of community pharmacies over the coming weeks will play a vital part in our continued fight back against the virus.”

Joe Brogan, Head of Pharmacy and Medicines Management at the Health and Social Care Board said: “Community pharmacies are extremely accessible healthcare venues which have successfully demonstrated the delivery of flu vaccines and more recently COVID-19 vaccination.

“Rolling the Moderna vaccine out through selected pharmacies will, I hope, provide the opportunity for even greater uptake of these lifesaving vaccines.”

Gerard Green, Chief Executive of Community Pharmacy Northern Ireland said: “We welcome the inclusion of Moderna to the COVID-19 vaccination programme, particularly for those in the under 40s age group. Community pharmacy is embedded in the heart of local communities, and this has been important in the vaccine roll out to date, providing patients with the option to receive their vaccine from a convenient and familiar health care professional, that they know and trust.

“As the Moderna vaccine is initially being rolled out to a limited number of pharmacies, I would ask the public to please be patient with community pharmacy teams as we continue to deliver pharmacy services and play our part in helping to protect the local population through the COVID-19 vaccination programme.”

The Minister added: “Cases have continued to rise over recent weeks and we are now also beginning to see the pressures mounting on our hospitals, with increasing demand for intensive care beds – albeit at a lower rate, thanks to the effectiveness of our vaccination programme. If we can make a concerted effort to increase vaccine uptake in the next week or so, this can help make a decisive difference, in terms of preventing serious illness and hospitalisations.

“If you haven’t yet received your first dose of the vaccine – don’t delay, act today.”

Details of participating pharmacies is available here