Category: News

As part of the Pharmacy Futures NI search and recruitment campaign, Pharmacy Forum NI have been engaging with NI post-primary schools, encouraging students to make pharmacy their career of choice. A new activity is a virtual Pharmacy Careers Showcase – which has been produced with the help of Pharmacy Futures NI champions and is now live and available to watch at www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSrBom8PTAo

Lasting just 30 minutes and hosted by Cool FM’s Rebecca McKinney, this engaging production is designed to give pupils an insight into the exciting world of Pharmacy as a career in Northern Ireland – from studying Pharmacy at university to practising as a Pharmacist. The production is ideally suited to pupils currently studying chemistry and other subjects for GCSE, AS or A-Level and considering a potential career in healthcare or chemistry-related discipline. Pupils don’t need to register for the event and it can be viewed at any time, from any location – be it during a Careers or Chemistry lesson in school, or from the comfort of their own home with their parents or friends.

The video is available to download along with the full range of Pharmacy Futures NI campaign resources at www.pharmacyfuturesni.com  Images related to the event are also attached.

The community pharmacy network across Northern Ireland has administered over 35,000 Covid-19 vaccines in the first weeks of the roll-out.

At the end of March, 340 community pharmacies were given the green light to begin inoculating the public against Covid-19. Since then, local pharmacies have seen a high demand for the vaccine, with many running out of their allocated supply within the first two weeks of the roll-out.

Local pharmacies are hoping to see a greater supply of the vaccine delivered to them in coming weeks as current levels of the AstraZeneca vaccine are low, with many community pharmacists seeing long waiting lists of patients emerging.

Chief Executive of Community Pharmacy NI, Gerard Greene said:

“Bringing community pharmacy into the Covid-19 vaccination programme has vastly improved access to the vaccine on the high streets of our towns, cities, and villages throughout Northern Ireland. Patients have had the option to receive their vaccine from a convenient and familiar health care professional, that they know and trust. The feedback we have been receiving is that patients really welcome the vaccine being available from pharmacies and that is tremendous endorsement for the service.

“Community pharmacies are the best places to reach the public including those in hard-to-reach communities and those in disadvantaged areas. With the level of pharmacies administering the vaccine, no eligible person should have far to travel to become protected against Covid-19.

“Vaccine supply has been limited, and we thank the public for their patience while we wait for more supplies to be delivered. Once the supply improves, we expect numbers to grow further and are engaging with the Department of Health to ensure a greater amount of vaccine is supplied to community pharmacies.

“I would encourage anyone eligible to book your vaccine with your local community pharmacy.”

Community Pharmacist, Sheelin McKeagney, said:

“It has been great to be able to vaccinate our own patients and the familiar faces that we see every day. We know many of our patients prefer not to travel too far to get their vaccine, particularly those in rural areas where it is just not as easy to get to larger vaccination centres.

“The one frustration has been having to turn some patients away due to the restricted amount of vaccine we have been supplied. Given our capacity to do this, we hope to see more vaccine become available in the coming weeks. We have a waiting list of people who want vaccinated by their local pharmacist and we want to fulfil that demand. 

“Being part of the vaccine programme has been a real positive lift for both staff and our patients. Since the roll-out began, patients have commented that the convenience of getting the vaccine at their local pharmacy is a benefit as it means they can get vaccinated at a convenient time that suits them from a clinician they know locally. We are also delighted to be able to offer the vaccine as it means we are able to support our patients and relieve any concerns or anxieties they have.”

To find your closest vaccinating community pharmacy: https://covid-19.hscni.net/community-pharmacy-covid-19-vaccination-service/

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