In Profession news

Follow this topic

Bookmark

Record learning outcomes

Community pharmacies in Northern Ireland have delivered a million patient consultations as part of the Public Health Agency’s (PHA) Living Well service in the last three years. 

The service sees pharmacies promote public health messages and advice and help patients tackle disease risk factors.

Campaigns have focused on areas like cancer awareness, mental health, winter wellbeing and childhood vaccinations. 

Gerard Greene, chief executive of Community Pharmacy Northern Ireland, commented: “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.” 

The milestone was also welcomed by health minister Mike Nesbitt, who said: “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.”

The PHA’s Aidan Dawson added: “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.”