Category: News

Community pharmacy teams have administered over 22,000 COVID-19 and flu vaccinations  across 440 care homes in Northern Ireland since October 2023.

This means vaccinations have been made available to over 99% of care homes across Northern Ireland, with the programme of vaccination visits for the sector expected to be completed this month.

Vaccination for residents in care homes is a key part of the wider community vaccination programme funded by the Department of Health. This is aimed at boosting the protection of those over the age of 65, frontline health and social care workers, and adults in a clinical risk category, with vaccinations available in local community pharmacies. Community pharmacy teams have been the sole provider of this service to individuals living in care homes, as part of a new scheme established during the pandemic.

Community Pharmacy NI has commended the pharmacists and their teams for their diligent delivery of this vital service, hailing its success as further evidence of the efficient, high-quality pharmacy expertise available in the heart of the community.

Commenting on the success of the Winter Vaccination Programme delivered by community pharmacists, Vice Chair of Community Pharmacy NI and Country Pharmacy Manager at Boots, Marie Smith said:

“Community pharmacy is the first choice for many in our communities, especially the elderly and those preferring not to travel, due to our convenience and the fact that patients know and trust us. It is great to see so many people receive COVID-19 and flu vaccinations in care homes from community pharmacists; these are some of the most vulnerable people in our society who simply can’t access a healthcare setting, so the success of the programme is a testament to the hard work and dedication of community pharmacy teams across Northern Ireland.

The enthusiastic participation of care homes and residents is also encouraging ahead of the Christmas period with people visiting loved ones during this time”.

“Our flexibility, accessibility and ability to administer this volume of vaccinations is further proof that if community pharmacy is funded adequately, pharmacy teams across Northern Ireland can do a lot more to ease pressures on the health service and provide expert healthcare in the heart of the community”.

Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Lourda Geoghegan hailed the efforts made to deliver vaccinations: “The provision of COVID-19 and Influenza vaccinations to residents in our care homes is hugely important and I very much appreciate the work done to date and the work continuing to make that happen through this year’s Autumn vaccination programmes.

“Everyone involved in our COVID-19 and Influenza vaccination programmes – including community pharmacies, GPs, PHA, Trust and Departmental colleagues – is providing vital protection to citizens and vital support to our health service amid severe winter-related pressures.”

Women in Northern Ireland can now visit participating community pharmacies for advice and treatment for uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections (UTI) without having to wait for a GP appointment.

The service is part of Pharmacy First and is available for women aged 16 to 64. All community pharmacists providing this service are qualified healthcare professionals with the training and ability to test and treat UTIs. They will offer a confidential consultation in a private area of the pharmacy where patients can discuss their symptoms with the pharmacist. Symptoms of a UTI can include:

• Burning or stinging sensation on passing urine
• Needing to pass urine frequently or urgently
• Cloudy urine
• Passing excessive or large quantities of urine

The pharmacist may test the patient’s urine to help determine if a UTI is present. In some cases, self-care advice may be all that is necessary.  The community pharmacist will be able to supply the patient with medicines to relieve pain and if appropriate, an antibiotic.  In all cases, women will be advised what to do if their symptoms worsen or do not resolve.

Joe Brogan, Assistant Director, Pharmacy and Medicines Management, Department of Health said: “Urinary Tract Infections can be extremely uncomfortable and it’s thought that up to 50% of women will experience one during their lifetime.

“The Pharmacy First UTI service means women can be assessed and treated much sooner without having to wait for a GP appointment. Not only will patients not need an appointment, but community pharmacies are more likely to be open after normal working hours, at weekends and bank holidays.”

The UTI management service has been expanded to more than 400 community pharmacies this year, following the positive evaluation of a pilot which has involved around 60 pharmacies since July 2021.

Between March 2022 and April 2023, over 3,500 women in Northern Ireland made use of the pilot service. Following assessment, more than 85% were diagnosed with a UTI and received appropriate advice and treatment from the pharmacist.

Stephen Toland, community pharmacist at Murphy’s Pharmacy, Derry who has been providing this service since 2021 said: “The feedback from patients has been overwhelmingly positive. They’re really happy that they are able to get same day advice and treatment from a health professional all close to home, for a condition that can be very distressing.”

More information about the Pharmacy First service can be found here: https://online.hscni.net/our-work/pharmacy-and-medicines-management/community-pharmacy-services/pharmacy-first/#PF3

Notes to editors:

1. Detail of participating pharmacies is available online: https://online.hscni.net/our-work/pharmacy-and-medicines-management/community-pharmacy-services/pharmacy-first/#PF3
2. No appointment is necessary, patients can simply request a consultation with a pharmacist.
3. Between March 2022 and April 2023, 3,519 patients benefitted from the pilot service. Once assessed 3,052 (86.73%) of patients were diagnosed as likely suffering from a UTI and provided with the appropriate treatment.
4. During this period 5.37% of patients were referred to their GP or Out of Hours service.
5. Pharmacy First for everyday health conditions is available at all community pharmacies in Northern Ireland.
6. For media enquiries please contact DoH Press Office by e-mail: pressoffice@health-ni.gov.uk
7. Follow us on X @healthdpt and linkedIn Department of Health NI | LinkedIn
8. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours’ service for Media Enquiries Only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The Duty Press Officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.

Living Well community pharmacies are backing a call for people to look after their mental health this December and January.

Across the two months, the pharmacies involved are encouraging people to ‘take 5 steps to wellbeing’ and show the same level of care for their mental health as they do for their physical health.

The ‘Take 5’ approach encourages building healthy habits into your everyday life to help bolster your emotional and mental wellbeing.

Fiona Teague, Regional Lead for Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing at the Public Health Agency (PHA), said: “Looking after your mental health should be every bit as important as your physical health.

“The Take 5 Steps are a great way to make sure you’re checking in with yourself and taking time for that little bit of self-care that can help you to feel better.

“They cover a range of aspects crucial to your emotional wellbeing and are good for helping people to find balance, build resilience and boost mental health and wellbeing.”

The Take 5 Steps are:

• Connect
• Keep learning
• Be active
• Take notice
• Give

To find out more about the Take 5 Steps, please visit www.pha.site/Take5Steps

Niall Falls, community pharmacist from Falls Pharmacy in Cookstown, said: “We’re delighted to be involved with this campaign which can really help people with their mental wellbeing.

“Starting that conversation about someone’s mental health is so important and our role at the heart of communities allows us to make those connections.

“We also have other more specialist resources that we can signpost to, for those that are feeling low or feel they might benefit from further help.”

Living Well is a community-based pharmacy service offered in over 500 pharmacies across Northern Ireland. It is delivered in partnership by the PHA, Community Pharmacy NI, and the Department of Health, and provides key public health messages and advice through these pharmacies.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

• For more information and local services that offer help and support on a range of issues which can affect mental health and wellbeing, visit www.mindingyourhead.info
• A directory of services to help improve mental health and emotional wellbeing is available at www.mindingyourhead.info/services
• The Community Wellbeing hub also offers a range of information, self-help guides and ways to access help and support – www.communitywellbeing.info
• The PHA commissions the regional 24/7 freephone crisis counselling helpline Lifeline 0808 808 8000. It is available for people of all ages and calls to Lifeline are answered by qualified crisis counsellors. The service can also offer face-to-face counselling sessions for those who require it within their community or over the telephone where appropriate. For more info, see www.lifelinehelpline.info
• The Lifeline service also offers a textphone number 18001 0808 808 8000 for those who are deaf or have hearing difficulties and uses the SignVideo app for British and Irish sign language users. If English is not an individual’s first or preferred language, Lifeline can access translators to speak to a person in their preferred language.

As part of the Living Well service throughout October and November community pharmacies are highlighting the importance of keeping antibiotics working.

Living Well is a community-based pharmacy service offered in over 500 pharmacies across Northern Ireland. It is delivered in partnership with the Public Health Agency (PHA), Community Pharmacy NI (CPNI), and the Department of Health (DoH). Antibiotics are needed for serious bacterial infections. When antibiotics are not used correctly, the bacteria they are designed to treat can become resistant, this is known as antimicrobial resistance (AMR). AMR is one of the biggest threats to human health.

AMR occurs when microbes (bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites) change over time and no longer respond to medicines making infections harder to treat. The more we use antibiotics, such as penicillin, and other antimicrobial medicines the less effective they become.

Dr Amanda McCullough, AMR Programme Manager at the PHA said: “We use more antibiotics than we need to and because antibiotics are not always used appropriately, many bacteria are becoming resistant. “As a result, some antibiotics have become less effective against the bacterial infections they were designed to treat. Infections caused by resistant bacteria can be very difficult to treat and can be serious.

“Pharmacists are well positioned in the community to help inform the public on how to use antibiotics appropriately. They also have an important role in identifying when it is the correct time to use an antibiotic and when self-care is more appropriate.”
As a result of drug resistance, antibiotics and other antimicrobial medicines become less effective and infections become increasingly difficult or impossible to treat.

Community pharmacist Adam Hill said: “It’s important we remember that antibiotics are not effective against simple infections, such as a cold or flu. Most simple infections clear up on their own and most coughs, sore throats or earaches do not need antibiotics. Your body can usually fight these infections on its own.

“The first place to get advice on these types of infections is your community pharmacy. Pharmacists are medicines experts and can provide valuable advice and also recommend over-the-counter medicines to help manage your symptoms.

“As we move through winter, we do tend to see more people with minor illnesses that won’t need antibiotics, and we can advise patients about when they may need to see their GP. So, remember to seek help and advice from your local community pharmacy first.”

Dr Sumanthra Varma, Pharmacy Adviser at the Strategic Planning and Performance Group (SPPG) said: “Antibiotic resistance is something that affects everyone, so it’s important that we all take steps to help keep antibiotics working. Community pharmacies can offer one-to-one advice from a healthcare professional, often without the need to book an appointment.

“If you have a minor ailment or require a consultation about a recent health issue, your pharmacist can help. Pharmacists are highly-trained healthcare professionals who have a vast knowledge of symptoms and appropriate treatments. They can advise what medication to take, the dosage required and any side effects, and provide advice on how best to use it.
“If your doctor prescribes an antibiotic, the pharmacist can give you advice on how best to take it. Follow the instructions, complete the course and don’t just stop because you’re feeling a bit better. And remember, never share antibiotics with anyone else.”

For more information, pick up a free Keep antibiotics working leaflet at your local community pharmacy and visit www.nidirect.gov.uk/antibiotic-resistance

Notes to Editors
For more information, pick up a free Keep antibiotics working leaflet at your local community pharmacy and visit www.nidirect.gov.uk/antibiotic-resistance

A new campaign focussing on the importance of childhood immunisations has been launched in pharmacies across Northern Ireland.

The ‘childhood immunisation’ campaign highlights the importance of vaccination and the protection provided by the childhood immunisation programme. The campaign is running in community pharmacies throughout August and September as part of the Living Well service.

Living Well is offered in over 500 pharmacies across Northern Ireland and 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 Department of Health (DoH).

Geraldine Mallon, Immunisation Programme Manager, PHA said: “The PHA strongly recommends that babies and children are vaccinated according to the Routine Childhood Immunisations Schedule. Vaccination rates have seen a slight decrease over recent years so it is important vaccination coverage is improved as soon as possible to help prevent the spread of avoidable serious and sometimes deadly diseases such as measles and polio.

“If you are unsure if your child is up to date with vaccinations the easiest way to check is to look at your child’s red book or speak to your health visitor or GP. If your child has missed a vaccination, please contact your GP practice to book an appointment as soon as you can to make sure they have maximum protection against disease.”

Vaccination is the most important thing you can do to protect your child against ill health. After clean water, vaccination is the most effective public health intervention in the world for saving lives, promoting good health and preventing serious illness.

Due to the high number of children receiving vaccinations in Northern Ireland over the past number of decades, many serious childhood infectious diseases are rarely heard of. Recently, however, vaccination rates have seen a slight decrease. It is crucial vaccine uptake remains high in Northern Ireland to prevent many of these serious diseases returning from parts of the world where they still occur. If this happens, children living in Northern Ireland who are not vaccinated will be at risk of these infections and potentially life-changing complications, even death.

Ronan Warnock, community pharmacist at Tempo Pharmacy said: “Immunisation is important for children because it helps provide immunity before exposure to potentially life-threatening diseases. Immunisation has helped rid the world of some very serious debilitating diseases, smallpox, for example, has now been eradicated thanks to vaccines.

“Parents with queries about any aspect of their child’s immunisations are welcome to call in to any of the participating pharmacies for an informal chat to find out more about the childhood immunisation programme.”

Vaccination is like a protective shield. Vaccines work by training your body’s immune system to make antibodies, which are proteins that help fight infection. If you are re-exposed to the disease in the future, your immune system ‘remembers’ the disease and quickly destroys it before you become unwell. The Childhood immunisation campaign encourages parents and guardians to have their babies and children vaccinated according to the routine childhood immunisation schedule. This will give them maximum protection against disease.

For more information, call into your local community pharmacy and pick up a free Immunisation protects leaflet.

Notes to Editors

Geraldine Mallon, Immunisation Programme Manager with PHA, Ronan Warnock, community pharmacist at Tempo Pharmacy, and pharmacy assistants Florence Campbell and Bernie Wright.

Local elected representatives Emma Sheerin MLA, Linda Dillon MLA and Sinn Féin Vice President Michelle O’Neill MLA visited O’Kane’s Pharmacy in Draperstown to learn about the pressures facing community pharmacists across Northern Ireland.

Laurence O’Kane and community pharmacists Aideen Shaw and Aine Laverty discussed with MLAs their desire as health professionals to provide additional services for the community and take pressure of the health service if workforce, workload and funding issues were addressed.

Community pharmacists have long campaigned for the Department of Health to address the recurrent underfunding of the community pharmacy sector and support local pharmacists in their efforts to continue delivering safe services to patients and grapple with rising costs.

The Mid-Ulster MLAs were also briefed by Community Pharmacy NI Chief Executive Gerard Greene who said that CPNI is eager to work with the Department to tackle the issues impacting the sector and the urgent need for stability to build the service going forward.

Michelle O’Neill, Vice President, Sinn Féin, said:

“It has been great to visit such a vibrant community pharmacy, to listen to their concerns, see first-hand the difference they make in the lives of everyone who walks through their doors, and hear about their hopes for the future of community pharmacy. There is no doubt that pharmacies across the north are at crisis point. We desperately need to see the return of a functioning Executive to address the serious underfunding and pressures felt by the entire network”.

During the visit, Laurence O’Kane said:

“In my 37 years working as a pharmacist, I have not experienced such profound difficulties in the community pharmacy sector as those we are facing now. We are all trying to deal with workforce issues, medicines shortages, workload pressures and rising costs all while working to ensure that we continue to provide safe services for patients. I am confident that community pharmacy can do more to help alleviate pressures on the health service. As more recently qualified pharmacists, Aideen and Aine are keen to use the knowledge and clinical skills they have to help manage patients in their local community. If we were properly resourced, we would be in a position to offer more clinical services which would allow patients to see us first without the need to visit their GP.

It has been great to have our local elected representatives here today to listen to our concerns. It is my hope that they have been encouraged to work towards turning all of this potential into a reality”.

Gerard Greene, Chief Executive, Community Pharmacy NI, added:

“The value of community pharmacy and the contribution it makes to local communities and the health service can’t be underestimated. Everyday community pharmacy teams see, treat, and manage patients with a range of health conditions. These local and often timely interventions help to achieve better patient outcomes and alleviate pressures across the wider health and social care system.

“We are clear that community pharmacy can do more with the right level of funding and while we have made our points to the Department, it was extremely helpful to be able to brief MLAs on these issues, especially the First Minister Designate as we all look towards the return of Stormont. There is a long way to go, but with the right political will and support I believe we can unleash the potential of community pharmacy and transform the way healthcare in the community is delivered”.