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Pharmacy Forum NI Board Elections 2023
Thank you to everyone who participated in the 2023 Board Election.
Voting is now closed and the successful candidates were:
- Judith Gray
- Anne McAlister
- Sheelin McKeagney
- Glynis McMurtry
Hub & spoke expansion: patient safety must remain intact
Pharmacy Forum NI has supported the DHSC consultation proposal to expand hub and spoke dispensing to include new arrangements between registered pharmacies belonging to different legal entities, provided that the proposals do not compromise the level of care offered to patients through pharmaceutical services.
Of the two hub and spoke dispensing models presented in the consultation, the Forum remains only broadly supportive of model 1 – where medicines are returned assembled from the hub to the spoke pharmacy before supply to the patient; the Forum does not support model 2, where the hub pharmacy supplies medicines directly to the patient.
The Forum has further requested the undertaking of a full impact assessment in Northern Ireland in order to understand the size and nature of any impact of the proposed changes on the NI pharmacist profession and NI patients.
Pharmacy Futures NI animation
A new two minute animation targeting all post-primary schools in Northern Ireland is the latest resource that has been developed under the Pharmacy Futures NI campaign, which was launched in November 2020 to support current and future NI pharmacy workforce needs.
The animation is designed to encourage school pupils to consider pharmacy as a career. It is aimed mainly at school pupils at the slightly earlier stage in subject choices/career decision-making but is suitable for any post-primary age.
The animation complements a wider range of assets that have been developed since the campaign launch.
Pharmacy Forum Home
Pharmacy Forum NI is the Professional Leadership Body for pharmacists in Northern Ireland, representing all sections of pharmacy practice including community & hospital
Inspire Provides Advice on Festive Stress
Stress at Christmas
For many, the festive season is one of joy. However, it can also be a season of stress and anxiety. There are so many things to do and a limited time to do them in.
Working people may feel especially harassed, trying to fit Christmas activities into their limited time. As healthcare professionals, there can also be additional work pressures during the winter season. In uncertain times and recession, the commercial aspect of Christmas might seem especially difficult. Often part of the problem is the large discrepancy between ‘expectations’ and reality. This time of year is ‘supposed’ to be joyous, perfect, celebratory but with all the shopping, Christmas parties, and holiday get-togethers, it can be an extremely stressful time of year, and can bring a sense of dread to many people.
Pharmacists’ Advice and Support Service (PASS) partner Inspire have drawn up a useful guide with tips on how to help ease stress during the festive season. Just follow the link below.
PASS Welcomes a Generous Donation from Boots UK
The Pharmacists’ Advice and Support Service (PASS) is delighted to welcome a donation from Boots UK to support its work in Northern Ireland.
PASS, which is an independent charity, provides a wide range of free and confidential services for pharmacists, former pharmacist and their dependants, in Northern Ireland. These include, information and signposting to key service providers, face to face telephone and specialist counselling, short term financial assistance, funding for specialist treatment and pre-retirement courses.
The Pharmacy Forum NI Rewards Excellence
A festive Belfast City Hall was the venue on the 15th November, as Pharmacy professionals joined politicians and other honoured guests to recognise and celebrate excellence in the pharmacy profession. The Pharmacy Forum NI conferred three new Fellows of the Pharmaceutical Society NI, Cora Sonner, Professor Carmel Hughes and Loretto McManus.