Category: News

Health Minister Robin Swann has welcomed the roll out of the winter vaccination programme during a visit to Lisadian Private Nursing Home in Hillsborough.

Residents and staff at the home are amongst the first recipients of the winter vaccination that includes the COVID-19 booster and flu vaccine programme.

Over the coming weeks community pharmacies will visit over 450 care homes across Northern Ireland, vaccinating some of our most vulnerable patients who simply couldn’t access a healthcare setting.

The vaccines help to prolong protection already received from initial COVID-19 vaccinations, while the flu vaccine is needed every year as the antibodies that protect you from flu decline over time, and flu strains change from year to year.

Minister Swann said “I am delighted to see this year’s winter vaccination programme get underway, with some of our most vulnerable members of the community getting the opportunity to get vaccinated early in the season.

“COVID-19 and flu are a key factor in causing winter pressures on the health service.  It impacts on those who fall ill, the health services that provide direct care, and on the wider health and social care system.  I would encourage everyone who is eligible, including care home residents and staff, to get vaccinated.”

Flu activity levels have been extremely low globally the last two winters, mainly due to COVID-19 prevention measures. As a result, a lower level of population immunity against flu is expected this year. This coupled with COVID-19, which hasn’t gone away, could potentially result in a real health threat particularly for vulnerable members of our community.

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The Minister was accompanied on his visit by the Department’s Chief Pharmaceutical Officer Cathy Harrison who said: “Vaccines are the most effective way to prevent infectious diseases as they teach our immune system how to recognise and fight viruses. Being vaccinated against both viruses will not only help to protect you and those around you from flu and COVID-19, but will help protect everyone from a potentially devastating double threat this winter.”

Dr Joanne McClean, Director of Public Health at the PHA, said: “As well as care home residents being offered the vaccine this is an invaluable opportunity for care home staff to receive their vaccines too. As frontline health and social care workers they are eligible to get the free COVID-19 and flu vaccine.

“The vaccines offered have been proven to be safe and effective, if staff have questions as well as speaking to the community pharmacist on the day of vaccination we are encouraging care home managers to use the resources available on the PHA vaccine toolkit  to address any questions and promote the vaccine within their homes.”

The PHA and the Department of Health will work with RQIA and community pharmacies to build on the successful relationships forged during the delivery of the spring COVID-19 booster programme in care homes to ensure good uptake of the winter vaccinations this time round.

Michael Cooper, Community Pharmacist “The accessibility and adaptability of the community pharmacy network has really been highlighted throughout the vaccine programme. As a network we are delighted to be able to help bring these vaccinations to some of the most vulnerable people in our communities within their own surroundings and to our colleagues in health and social care. We would encourage everyone to take up the opportunity to get vaccinated when we visit a care home, and should they have any questions we can discuss them through on the day.”

Getting vaccinated is free, quick, and it could make a big difference to your health and the health of those close to you.

The message is clear – if you’re eligible for either the flu vaccine, COVID-19 vaccine or both, take up the offer when invited.

For further information please see the www.nidirect.gov.uk/wintervaccines

The COVID-19 Spring Vaccine Programme to care home patients has been officially completed in Northern Ireland with community pharmacists providing over 83% of doses to those living in care homes.

The programme was aimed at boosting protection for those over 75, care home patients and the severely immunosuppressed against COVID -19 during the early part of 2022.

466 care homes across Northern Ireland were visited by community pharmacy teams to vaccinate patients, with almost 11,000 boosters administered.

Those aged over 75 and the severely immunosuppressed were also eligible to attend their local pharmacy to receive their booster vaccine. Over 7,400 patients received their Spring booster in this way.

Since beginning to deliver COVID-19 vaccines in March 2021, community pharmacies have provided over 365,000 doses to the public. Community Pharmacy NI has commended the pharmacy network for their diligent delivery of the vaccine programme and state that it demonstrates the efficient and high-quality service that can be provided by community pharmacies if the right resource and funding is in place.

Commenting on the completion of the Spring Booster programme, Vice Chair of Community Pharmacy NI and Country Pharmacy Manager at Boots, Marie Smith said:

“As a community pharmacist, I’ve seen daily the benefit of providing the COVID-19 vaccine to those living locally in the community. Community pharmacy is the first choice for many in our neighbourhoods, including the elderly and those preferring not to travel, due to our convenience and the fact that patients know and trust us.

“The flexibility of community pharmacies also meant we were able to go out to care homes and administer the vaccine to some of our most vulnerable patients who simply couldn’t access a healthcare setting. It is a testament to the pharmacy network that over 83% of care home patients were vaccinated by community pharmacists.

“The accessibility and adaptability of the community pharmacy network has really been highlighted throughout the vaccine programme. Adapting overnight to deliver thousands of vaccines, which really did save lives, meant that our society was able to move out of lockdowns and begin to get back to normal life. The vaccine programme only further showcases the good work pharmacies can do when funding and resources are allocated appropriately.”

Care Home Manager at St James’ Lodge Ballymoney, Bronagh Barker added:

“The work of our local pharmacy in delivering the Spring Booster vaccine has really been a weight lifted off everyone’s shoulders. Some of our patients are extremely vulnerable and it has been a concern over how and when they can get vaccinated. To have our local pharmacists, who our staff and patients know and trust, come and deliver the vaccine meant they felt more at ease. This has been a great comfort during this period of concern especially to our families as COVID-19 affects our elderly the most.”

“We would like to thank our local pharmacy team for supporting our patients and providing the Spring vaccine to them.”

The Community Pharmacy Living Well service is launching a new summer campaign on breastfeeding which will run during July and August 2022.

The breastfeeding campaign aims to raise awareness about the importance of breastfeeding, encourage support for breastfeeding mums and help to normalise breastfeeding.

Living Well is offered in over 500 pharmacies and provides information and advice on public health issues. It is delivered in partnership with the Public Health Agency (PHA), Department of Health and Community Pharmacy NI (CPNI).

Dr Hannah Dearie, Senior Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement Officer with PHA, said: “Breastfeeding is a fundamental public health issue because it promotes health, prevents disease in the short and long-term and helps to reduce health inequalities for both mum and baby.

“We know that breastfeeding protects babies from a range of illnesses, including ear and chest infections, gastroenteritis, diabetes, asthma, childhood obesity, as well as cot death (sudden infant death syndrome). It also helps to protect mums from various cancers such as breast and ovarian, and also type 2 diabetes.

“The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that infants are exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life; the longer the duration of breastfeeding the greater the effect on improving the child’s health. While the majority of mothers can breastfeed, we know that making it easier and more supportive for them to do so will help improve breastfeeding rates in Northern Ireland. It is important that mums are provided with accurate information and practical support from their family, their healthcare system and wider society.”

The campaign aims to encourage and target a broad spectrum of the public including:

• breastfeeding mothers, pregnant women and women considering getting pregnant;
• spouses/partners, grandparents (as they are key influencers on a woman’s decision to breastfeed and to continue to breastfeed), family members and friends;
• the general public – community support is needed particularly when breastfeeding mothers are outside the home environment.

In addition to this, the campaign emphasises the ‘Breastfeeding welcome here’ scheme which helps to locate and provide supportive environments for mothers to breastfeed when they’re out and about in public places.

Whilst breastfeeding rates in Northern Ireland have been increasing slowly in recent years, it is really important that we continue to do all we can to encourage more parents to choose breastfeeding for their babies and to ensure that they are supported to do so.

Community pharmacist Edel McMahon added: “Community pharmacies are at the heart of our local communities with the public recognising pharmacists as trusted and accessible healthcare professionals. This makes community pharmacy the ideal setting to help encourage and support mums on their breastfeeding journey.

“Initiatives like the Living Well service aim to help to normalise breastfeeding and provide an alternative support network for breastfeeding mums. We are able to support the wider community in understanding the importance of breastfeeding.

“Whether you need support with breastfeeding or you want to know how you can help support a friend, a colleague or family member on their breastfeeding journey, the first step is simple, just ask your pharmacist for advice.”

For further information please visit www.pha.site/living-well

Cooperation between Northern Ireland’s elected representatives and the community pharmacy network will continue in the new Northern Ireland Assembly term following the re-establishment of the All-Party Group on Community Pharmacy.

The Group, first established in February 2021, will remain as the leading forum for the sharing of ideas, issues, and policy solutions after being formally re-established for the next five years.

Attended by representatives from each of Northern Ireland’s main political parties, the   secretariat and Community Pharmacy NI, it will meet on a regular basis to discuss the role of community pharmacy within Northern Ireland’s communities, primary care system, and the wider health service for the next five-years.

Chair of the All-Party Group on Community Pharmacy, Pam Cameron MLA said:

“I feel privileged to be returned as Chairperson of the All-Party Group on Community Pharmacy. Through the Group, we’ve been able to foster a collaborative working among Assembly colleagues to make progress in a whole range of areas facing patients, the sector and the NHS.

“We know that during this Assembly mandate important decisions will have to be made to future-proof our health service and ensure it runs effectively and sustainably. Community pharmacy will have a pivotal role to play in this, and through the All-Party Group, I look forward to playing a role in driving forward fresh ideas that maximise the network’s potential.”

Chief Executive of Community Pharmacy NI, Gerard Greene said:

“Re-establishing the Assembly’s All-Party Group has been a major priority for us in the past number of months. As we have seen since its inception, the Group is a vital platform for members of the community pharmacy workforce to highlight the current state of play on the ground to MLAs and identify where improvements can be made.

As well as consolidating good working relations, the Group shone a spotlight on some of the key services community pharmacy introduced during the pandemic, including COVID-19 vaccinations and the Emergency Supply Service.

“I look forward to working with the members and progressing policy solutions to address workforce pressures, implementing the commissioning plan for community pharmacy, and identifying ways to integrate the sector in the Department of Health’s transformation agenda.”

Health Minister Robin Swann has taken additional steps to help women access vital medicines safely and effectively.

The Minister has today approved additional protocols to provide pharmacists with the flexibility to safely issue appropriate substitute medicines for a number of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) products.  

The Department recently authorised a number of Serious Shortage Protocols which enabled pharmacists to limit dispensing of prescriptions for particular HRT products in short supply. This additional step will further empower pharmacists, enabling them to safely offer substitute high-demand products with appropriate alternatives, such as transdermal patches, which are in good supply.

The Minister said: “Women’s health is a priority and it is imperative that women have access to hormone replacement products that are safe and effective.  Today I have approved a number of serious shortage protocols which will allow pharmacists the flexibility to safely offer women appropriate substitutes for HRT products that are currently in short supply.

“My Department has been working closely with colleagues across the UK to ensure HRT is available for everyone who needs it and I am pleased to see early action taken by the HRT Taskforce for the benefit of the whole UK, with suppliers continuing to increase the supply of some products which is a testament to the collaborative approach being taken. 

“I will continue to work with my UK counterparts to ensure the long-term stability of supply for HRT products going forward.”

Appropriate alternative products will be available for Oestrogel, Ovestin cream, Lenzetto transdermal spray and Sandrena gel sachets – with appropriate alternatives, such as transdermal patches, which are in good supply. 

Chief Pharmaceutical Officer, Cathy Harrison said: “Community pharmacists are ideally placed to support women with their health needs and these protocols give women the option to substitute products when their usual treatment is not available.  This is a safe, effective way to ensure HRT continues to be available for those women who need it to manage their menopausal symptoms.  It is also a vote of confidence in the ability of pharmacy teams to effectively manage supply disruptions and maintain patient care. Anyone who has questions or concerns about HRT should speak to their GP or pharmacist.”

Reacting to the Department of Health’s decision to temporarily allow pharmacists to substitute hormone replacement therapy (HRT) products, Chief Executive of Community Pharmacy NI, Gerard Greene said:
 
“The Department of Health’s decision to introduce serious shortage protocols (SSPs) recognises the supply issues with HRT products and that urgent action is needed to support patients at this time. Community pharmacists are ideally placed to support patients requiring HRT and welcomes the SSP arrangements that have been granted to enable suitable alternatives to be provided.
 
This means patients will have timely and continued access to medication as needed, while taking steps to address the lengthy, often distressing waits many patients have been faced with in obtaining their HRT products.
 
“To date, community pharmacists have done their utmost to support patients throughout what is now recognised as a national shortage of HRT products. While it may be the case that patients are given a different product than they are used to, the intent of this policy is protecting continuity of supply of HRT medicines for patients during these challenging times.”

Northern Ireland’s Chief Pharmaceutical Officer Cathy Harrison has launched a new campaign to highlight the importance of using medicine safely.

‘Know, Check, Ask’ is a simple three-step message to help increase public awareness and understanding about the importance of using medicine safely:

•          KNOW your medicines and keep an up-to-date list
•          CHECK that you are using your medicines in the right way.
•          ASK your healthcare professional if you’re not sure.

Mrs Harrison said: “In Northern Ireland, we are fortunate to benefit from effective systems for the safe prescribing, dispensing and administration of medicines. Our health service has developed these robust systems over many years to ensure medication safety is a top priority for everyone receiving and providing care within the health and social system.

“However, we know that errors can still occur and we are committed to supporting improvements that aim to reduce or prevent the risk of harm to patients. The Know, Check, Ask campaign will support that by helping to equip people with the knowledge and skills they need to be safe with medication.

“I’m encouraging everyone who takes medication regularly to be more involved in decisions about their medication and encourage them to report or discuss issues and concerns with a healthcare professional. People should always follow the directions on the medicine label and take medicines at the right dose and at the right time of day. They should never stop, reduce or increase their medicines without asking a healthcare professional and they should never share medicines with others.”

Aisling Elliott, community pharmacist at Clear Pharmacy said: “Keeping a list of medications, including other medicines or supplements you have bought, such as vitamins or herbal medicines, helps community pharmacists, healthcare professionals and care givers know what medicines you are taking.  Bringing an up-to-date list of your medicines to healthcare appointments and the pharmacy visits helps us to give you the best advice and helps you get the best out of your medicines. Some people find it useful to take a photo of their medications list and keep it on their phone or take photographs of their medications with the label in full view”.

In conclusion, the Chief Pharmaceutical Officer said: “I am delighted that the Know, Check, Ask campaign is being launched in over 500 community pharmacies across Northern Ireland. The expertise of pharmacists and the accessibility of community pharmacies creates an ideal opportunity for people to ask questions and become more involved in decisions about their medication. 

“This campaign plays a key role in supporting the Department of Health’s strategic plan ‘Transforming Medication Safety in Northern Ireland’ to improve safe practices with medicines and embed a medication safety culture within our population.”

Leaflets are available at local community pharmacies with more information which includes a ‘My Medicines List’ to record your medicines.