News

Top award for Portsmouth health campaign

15 November 2011

Industry experts have applauded a local health campaign with a prestigious award.

NHS Portsmouth scooped the public sector PR award from the Wessex branch of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) at a glittering ceremony this month.

The primary care trust landed the top prize for their Healthy Living Pharmacy campaign, which launched a new model of wellbeing service in pharmacy. The project is now being replicated in others areas, impressed by the results achieved in Portsmouth.

The award was presented by the incoming CIPR president Sally Sykes. The judging panel said:

“This campaign demonstrated what you can achieve by taking a very well integrated approach to communications. The programme delivered fantastic return on investment, as well as raising awareness. An evaluation baseline set up at the start of the campaign ensured that the team was able to measure very effectively the success of activities undertaken.”

Healthy Living Pharmacy is shortlisted for two further awards this month, the PMEA Cause Marketing Award and the Health Service Journal Award for Innovation in Primary Care.

Janet Bowhill, Pharmacy lead for NHS Portsmouth said:

“We’re always delighted to have our achievements recognised by leading organisations. We are very pleased with the success of the Healthy Living Pharmacies. It’s thanks to the commitment of pharmacy staff across the city that the public are able to benefit from a range of excellent services and the communications campaign has helped people find out what is available to them to help them make improvements to their lifestyle.”


 
 

Patients inspire Rowland’s Runners for Great South Run

25 October 2011

 

A pharmacy team from Portsmouth have decided a ten mile run is the perfect prescription for them.

Four staff from Rowlands Pharmacy in Kingston Crescent, Portsmouth will be taking part in this Sunday’s Great South Run (30/10/11). The team were inspired to start training together for the race by the success of many of their patients in improving their health through the Healthy Living Pharmacy services offered in the branch.

“Seeing someone you’ve supported achieve their goals, in weight loss, stopping smoking or cutting back their drinking is very rewarding and motivating,” said Sarah Stanhope, a pharmacy technician and Healthy Living Champion. “You see their progress week-by-week and the difference it makes to them. We always talked about improving out fitness, and this year we decided to go for it.”

The women decided to run to raise sponsorship and awareness for the Alzheimer’s Society, a cause close to manager Pam Macpherson’s heart: “I’ve seen Dementia affect my family and the Alzheimer’s Society does vital work in both the supporting patients and carers and research into understanding dementia so that one day it might be curable. Preparing for the race helped us all feel much fitter, I’m looking forward to completing the course.”


 

NHS Future Forum visits Portsmouth Healthy Living Pharmacies

Portsmouth has been visited by members of the national NHS Future Forum who are learning more about examples of best practice.

Representatives from the NHS Future Forum toured three of Portsmouth’s Healthy Living Pharmacies – part of the pioneering initiative to bring more NHS health and wellbeing services to pharmacies that is being piloted in the city.

The visit, which took place earlier this month, is part of the group’s work to inform policy developments in the Department of Health. The independent forum was formed as part of the listening exercise this summer informing the Health Bill. It includes experts from a wide range of health professions.

Portsmouth has 17 Healthy Living Pharmacies which deliver a range of NHS services to help people maintain and improve their wellbeing. These include free support to stop smoking, lose weight or cut back on alcohol, medicine use reviews and emergency contraception. The pharmacies are all committed to promoting healthy lifestyles and providing advice for patients. They have been awarded a quality mark by NHS Portsmouth, so that the public can easily identify them.

“The Healthy Living Pharmacy scheme has been so successful in Portsmouth that many other areas are looking to replicate it, so it was great to be able to show the members of the forum what we do,” said Rita a Healthy Living Champion and manager at Goldchem, in Albert Road, which was one of the pharmacies on the tour.

“I can see the support we offer people here is making a difference and people like getting health services in a pharmacy. They know that we have expertise, that the conversation is confidential and we can see them in a private area, but it is informal too, they don’t have to make an appointment” Rita added.

For more information about pharmacy in Portsmouth visit www.pompeypharmacy.com

To learn more about the NHS Future Forum’s work visit www.healthandcare.dh.gov.uk
 

Healthy Living Pharmacy score Portsmouth top award nominations

8 September 2011

NHS Portsmouth have been shortlisted in the prestigious HSJ Awards.

The city’s Healthy Living Pharmacy initiative has been shortlisted in the acute & primary care innovation category by the Health Service Journal. The judging panel will now meet the team behind the project before deciding the overall winner.

NHS Portsmouth will be battling against local competition to win the award; both Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust and Southampton University Hospitals Trust are among the eight nominees.

“It’s an honour to be shortlisted as there were over 300 entries more to the awards this year so competition has been high. We are very proud of the difference this project has made to patients in Portsmouth, results show that thousands of people are benefiting,” said Dr Paul Edmondson-Jones, Director of Public Health for Portsmouth.

“The project offers something new because it brings together all the services and advice pharmacies provide to help patients lead a healthier lifestyle into a framework that ensures consistently high quality. We’re making the best use of the skill in our pharmacy teams and their contact with local people everyday. It’s also the first time we have seen pharmacy services promoted by the NHS on such a scale.” Paul explained.

The scheme launched in June 2010 and currently 17 pharmacies in the city have been awarded Healthy Living Pharmacy status. Each Healthy Living Pharmacy has a Healthy Living Champion leading health promotion work. The pharmacies offer a range of NHS service such as support to stop smoking, loose weight or cut back drinking; medicine use reviews, emergency contraception and healthy lifestyle advice. Local people can find out more online at www.pompey-pharmacy.info or look out for a store displaying the logo.

Due to the success of the Portsmouth project a national roll out is on the cards, 20 pathfinder sites have been selected from across the country to trialHealthy Living Pharmacy with the support of the community pharmacy industry bodies. NHS Portsmouth is being currently being contacted on a daily by other NHS organisations hoping to replicate the projects success, and has hosted a number of visits for leading national experts looking to find out more.

Results for the awards will be announced at a London ceremony on the evening of November 15. Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust has also been shortlisted in the Research Culture award category. 

Healthy Living Pharmacy has also seen NHS Portsmouth shortlisted for a Chartered Institutes of Public Relations Pride Award for the Wessex region in the Public Sector category. The awards recognise excellence and are open to public relations practioners working outside of London and the nomination related to the scheme's public communication campaign. This award is announced on November 2.
 
 

Top Public Health figure visits Portsmouth Pharmacies

30 August 2011

Portsmouth has been showcasing its flagship pharmacy initiative to another VIP.

Three of the city’s Healthy Living Pharmacies have welcomed Professor Richard Parish, Chief Executive, Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH). Professor Parish is keen to find out more about how the pharmacy teams are helping patients improve their health as part of the NHS Portsmouth scheme.

Professor Parish will chair the Pharmacy and Public Health Forum set up to support the government’s drive to encourage people to live healthier lives across England. He is a prominent figure in the field of Public Health with a wealth of experience.

Following its success in Portsmouth the Healthy Living Pharmacy model is being trialled in 20 other areas, supported by the national pharmacy bodies, and health officials.

Healthy Living Pharmacies offer a range of NHS services to help people improve their health such as help to stop smoking, loose weight, cut back drinking or get the most out of their medicines. Within the pharmacy team a Healthy Living Champion, with a RSPH recognised qualification, is trained to lead proactive health promotions.

Pharmacies are accredited and allowed to display the HLP logo when they pass a range of quality measures. At least 100 more Healthy Living Pharmacies across the country at set to receive their quality mark alongside the 17 already established in Portsmouth.

Professor Parish’s visit took in City Pharmacy in London Road, Rowland Pharmacy in Kingston Crescent and Lloyds Pharmacy in Milton Road who have all been Healthy Living Pharmacies for just over a year.

Richard Parish said: “The one thing that has shone through in all the pharmacies I visited in Portsmouth is the sheer enthusiasm of the people. Healthy Living Pharmacy provides a clear benefit to the local community. And it is one of the best organisational development tools for all of the staff working in these pharmacies.”

“We’ve had a range of VIP guests come to Portsmouth pharmacies over the past year from Government Ministers to leaders within the pharmacy industry and it’s been an honour to show the work we have been doing in Portsmouth. It’s amazing to think how widely this will be replicated and number of people we will have helped,” said Helen Holyoak, one of the Healthy Living Champions at Lloyds Pharmacy.
 

NHS Portsmouth proud to be pathfinder in pharmacy roll out

8 August 2011
 

Local pharmacies are continuing to lead the way when it comes to helping people improve their health.

NHS Portsmouth is celebrating becoming one of twenty national pathfinder sites for ‘Healthy Living Pharmacy’ following the impact the scheme has already made in the city. Now Secretary of State for Health, Andrew Lansley MP has given his backing to the pathefinder scheme.

Just over a year ago the first six Healthy Living Pharmacies were accredited in Portsmouth. To date 17 pharmacies across the city have earned the quality mark and they are set to be joined by 100 more pharmacies across the country all seeking to replicate their success. All the pathfinders are being supported by the major industry bodies for community pharmacy.

Healthy Living Pharmacies can be identified by their Healthy Living Pharmacy logo and offer a range of NHS services and advice to support people in changing their lifestyle and improving their health and wellbeing. The pharmacies all have one or more Healthy Living Champions- in store experts on finding healthy lifestyle information and local services. Together with long opening hours, convenient high street and neighbourhood locations and no need to make an appointment they have made pharmacy the first stop for increasing numbers of local people.

Healthy Living Pharmacies all offer a range of NHS services, it has been outcome evidence from these alongside the positive response of pharmacy staff that has persuaded many other areas to roll out the scheme. Over 50 areas bid to become pathfinders and have been selected to test the model under different conditions, for example in a towns and rural areas. Nearby areas awarded pathfinder status include the Isle of Wight and Brighton & Hove.

In Portsmouth the targeted medicines use review service has helped over 1000 patients using an inhaler to learn more about how to take their medicines effectively. In the last year local pharmacies have supported over 600 people stop smoking. Healthy Living Pharmacies also offer emergency contraception, a service to support adults to cut back on alcohol and a weight loss service as well as the expert advice on medications and minor ailments patients expect from their pharmacist.

Janet Bowhill, Pharmaceutical adviser at NHS Portsmouth said:

“We are very proud to be among the pathfinders and hope that we can learn from other areas to make our Healthy Living Pharmacy service even better, as well as sharing our experiences. It’s been exciting to develop a scheme that has proved its value time after time in terms of numbers and comments from individuals who have benefited from Healthy Living Pharmacy services.”
 

Portsmouth Pharmacies set to celebrate 1000th medicine review patient

12 July 2011
 

Pharmacists in Portsmouth are helping hundreds of patients with health problems that affect breathing such as asthma or COPD (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) learn about using their medicines more effectively.

The support comes as part of the NHS MUR (medicine use review) respiratory services that has been running in the city for the last 18 months. This week will see city’s 1000th respiratory MUR take place.

As part of the scheme local pharmacists tutor patients in the correct use of their inhalers.

"The technique you use with your inhaler is really important in ensuring that the right dose of medicine reaches the lungs. And by getting to the right place it works better. We also discuss other important factors in managing a long term respiratory condition and give each patient a ‘control score’," explains Baldev Laly, Pharmacist at Laly’s Pharmacy, Kingston Road, Portsmouth.

"Both the NHS and the patient benefit from better control scores, patients may not need as much of their reliever medicine if they are using their preventative treatment correctly. Patients are less likely to experience complications with their asthma or chronic lung condition so they have a better quality of life, and the NHS may make some savings with less need for emergency treatment and hospital admissions," added Mr Laly.

Patients are invited to return to the pharmacy six months after their initial review to discuss their medicines again, check on their inhaler technique and see if their control score has improved. Over half who took up this offer recorded some improvement. And, also as a result of this service 199 (20%) patients have been referred to stop smoking services.

Pharmacists have an important role in advising patients about their medicines, and the NHS has supported the medicines use review service for patients taking all kinds of regular prescriptions since 2005. Three-quarters of pharmacies across the city offer a full MUR service. Targeting the reviews towards specific conditions is a newer concept that’s set to be adopted nationally this autumn. As well as working with patients with respiratory conditions, pharmacists will focus on patients taking ‘high risk’ medicines and those who have recently been discharged from hospital and had a change to their medicines whilst they were there.

"We have seen the success of targeting MURs in Portsmouth. It means that the reviews are focused towards patients that are set to benefit most, although the pharmacists expertise will still be available for everyone to use," said Katie Hovenden, Associate Director of Primary Care and Medicines Management at NHS Portsmouth.

 

Healthy Living Pharmacies join communities day

6 July 2011

Healthy Living Pharmacy will be taking part in the second annual Communities Day in Portsmouth City Centre this Friday (8 July).

The event which takes place in Commercial Road and Arundel Street will see representatives from across public services and the voluntary sector sharing their work with shoppers.

Health stands include information about the new NHS health checks starting in September, breast screening , Choose Well and the St Mary’s Treatment Centre and Guildhall Walk Health Centres.

The event is one of a number taking place over the summer. Teams are also running stands at Portsmouth Dockyard this week and at Cosham Communities Day later this month.
 

Healthy Living Pharmacies praised for boost to Portsmouth quit rates

5 July 2011

Pharmacies in Portsmouth have exceeded their quitters target for 2010/11 by 38%.

The total number of people successfully quitting smoking in the city has increased and exceeded the local NHS target. 3060 people quit smoking in 2010/11 year – topping the target by 14%.

The Healthy Living Pharmacy scheme, which piloted by NHS Portsmouth in 2010, has been credited with the increase in quitters from pharmacy:

“As pharmacies endeavour to meet the criteria for becoming a Healthy Living Pharmacy the number of quits they support increases, 22 of our 38 pharmacies met the required number of quits for the scheme.” said Katie Hovenden, associate director of primary care and medicines management at NHS Portsmouth.

“As well as proactively engaging with patients to offer the stop smoking service when appropriate, our Healthy Living Pharmacies are telling us they are getting more patients come in and ask specifically about quitting as they’ve heard through word of mouth about friends and relatives success with the service,” Katie added.

Pharmacy contributes around 23% of the total number of quits in the city. Pharmacy is one of a number of providers in Portsmouth alongside General Practice, specialist cessation services from Solent Health NHS Trust, and Solutions for Health an independent provider focused towards minority community outreach.

Smoking rates in Portsmouth are higher than the national average at 27 % and reducing smoking rates remains as one of the city’s top priorities. Portsmouth’s Director of Public Health Dr Paul Edmondson-Jones has said he is delighted by the achievement and added:

“It is estimated that we must have at least 6% of your smoking population as quitters to have a serious impact on smoking prevalence and the fact that we are running at 6.7% is highly encouraging – particularly as these figures only relate to people who have quit with the help of NHS services.”

 

And the winner is

 8 June 2011

Rowlands Pharmacy, Kingston Crescent have won Chemist+Druggist 2011 Pharmacy Team of the Year award, and City Pharmacy were declared runner up. For more information visit: http://www.chemistanddruggist.co.uk/chemist-druggist-awards
 

Old schoolmates compete for pharmacy of the year

3 June 2011

As 16-year-olds together in GCSE home economics at Mayfield School in 1989, Sarah Halliday and Pamela Edney never imagined they would one day be sitting next to each other at a glitzy awards do waiting to hear if one of them had scooped the top gong.

Yet, over 20 years later both are in the running for a national award celebrating their work achievements. Both City Pharmacy, London Road, where Sarah Coffin is Pharmacy Manager and Rowlands Pharmacy, Kingston Crescent, where Pam Macpherson is Manager, have been shortlisted for the Chemist+Druggist 2011 Pharmacy Team of the Year award.

“With over 13,000 pharmacies across the county and a shortlist of just five, having two of those places is a testament to the quality of pharmacy services in Portsmouth, and we’re very proud of the teams,” said Katie Hovenden, Associate Director of Primary Care at NHS Portsmouth.

“It’s funny to think that after all this time we’ve ended up working at the top of our industry just five minutes walk down the road from each other,” said Pam.

And both Pam and Sarah credit NHS Portsmouth’s Healthy Living Pharmacy scheme, and the friendly competition it has generated as having boosted their pharmacies performance.

“Healthy Living Pharmacy has packaged up the NHS health and wellbeing services we already offered such as medicine use reviews and stop smoking and introduced some new ones like rethink your drink. It’s helped motivate us to increase our engagement with customers, and we’ve really adopted a healthy living ethos – we’re about more than just prescriptions,” said Sarah.

Pam says: “The public will recognise the kitemark in a Healthy Living Pharmacy, and more and more people are coming in asking for services such as weight management because they have seen it promoted or been recommended by a friend. I love Sarah to bits but we do have some friendly rivalry between the two pharmacies, to see who can help the most patients - and that’s just good news for local people!”

After leaving Mayfield, Sarah completed her A-levels at Portsmouth College and studied pharmacy at Portsmouth University. She left the city to complete her pre-reg training at Guy’s and St Thomas Hospital in London and later worked in Australia, before returning back home to Portsmouth in 2000. Sarah married and started a family and is now mum to two boys as well as continuing working as a pharmacist. Sarah joined City Pharmacy two years ago.

Meanwhile Pamela re-took her GCSEs at Portsmouth College, although she had been awarded A for her cookery, and the two friends lost touch. Pam joined Tremletts pharmacy and trained on the job under a youth training scheme to become a pharmacy technician. She moved between companies, and also had two children, before joining Rowlands 10 years ago when her branch was still in Queen’s Road. Pam was promoted to Manager five years ago, and oversaw the teams move to the new branch in Kingston Crescent Surgery.

“We’re both lucky to work with fantastic proactive teams. The short listing reflects what the pharmacies have achieved as a team rather than it all being down to one person. And staff from both pharmacies now work together to hold events in the community where we talk about our services with people who may not be aware of what pharmacy can offer and how we can help them look after their health,” Sarah explains.

Neither team is a stranger to collecting accolades for their work. Pam has previously been named Technician of the Year and City Pharmacy was declared top pharmacy in the The News Best of Health Awards. The winner of the Chemist +Druggist Pharmacy Team of the Year award is due to be announced at a prestigious London ceremony on 8 June.

“We’re all excited about the awards and hope that a Portsmouth team wins – although of course I hope my pharmacy wins a little bit more!” Sarah smiles.

“Of course it would be disappointing to get to the shortlist and not take the trophy ourselves but it would be a nice consolation if we see our friends win it instead” Pam agrees.

 

Pharmacy tour heads for Pompey game this weekend

Portsmouth’s Healthy Living Pharmacies are returning to Fratton Park this Saturday.

Seven pharmacy Healthy Living Champions will be at Portsmouth FC’s match against Preston this Saturday, based on board the Pompey bus in the main car park. They will be offering fans a chance to check up on their health and ask any questions about healthy lifestyles or the NHS services on offer in their local pharmacy. The drop in event starts at 1pm and will continue until kick off.

The event follows on from a range of successful community outing for the city’s 15 Healthy Living Pharmacies. In the past month Health Living Champions have set up health stalls at venues including colleges, pubs and churches. The team were last at Fratton Park in February when they spoke to dozens of fans.

“People understand and remember the services they can get in a healthy living pharmacy best when they have conversation about it, even if it is only a few minutes.” said Health Living Champion, Sophie Furmedge from Rowland’s Pharmacy in Fratton Road.

“Pharmacies in Portsmouth are knowledgeable, friendly, able to support people with a whole range of lifestyle changes, and all have a private room. It may be very different from how people remember it. There are Healthy Living Pharmacies open everyday of the week and into the evening so people can come in when they find it most convenient,” Sophie added.

The first Healthy Living Pharmacies were launched by NHS Portsmouth in June last year the project has won national recognition from the health chiefs and the pharmacy industry. Services offered include NHS Stop Smoking support, weight management, emergency contraception, medicine use reviews and alcohol support.

For more information visit: www.pompey-pharmacy.info/ or search ‘Portsmouth Healthy Living Pharmacy’ on facebook.

 

Pharmacies He-vents are a hit for health

Portsmouth’s Healthy Living Pharmacies are reaching out to help men improve their health.

Men of all ages are being invited to have a wellbeing one to one with health trainer champions based in 14 pharmacies in the city that have been awarded the Healthy Living Pharmacy kitemark by NHS Portsmouth.

NHS Portsmouth has put the scheme in place with the pharmacies for a month to focus attention on men’s health. Janet Bowhill, Pharmaceutical Advisor explains: “Men can sometimes put off using health services because they struggle to find the time, or don’t think that their problems are important enough. This can mean they put up with uncomfortable symptoms unnecessarily, don’t get support to change to healthier habits, or sometimes miss the early warning signs of something serious. ”

”Pharmacies are great places for everyone to get health advice and access a range of NHS services. Although a lot of men already do use their pharmacy in this way and appreciate the long opening hours and the fact you do not need to make an appointment, we’d like to remind all men that they are very welcome in our pharmacies. Our teams are keen to get out and about to do this, “Janet added.

Pharmacies teams have been using their ingenuity to reach out to men who don’t regularly use pharmacy by heading out into the community to run awareness sessions at churches, colleges and pubs.

The one to ones, which are confidential, can include discussions about smoking, alcohol, weight and physical activity as well as any ‘niggles’ men may have about their health. The health trainer champions will be able to advise men on the help available in the pharmacy or if they need to make an appointment with their doctor.

Find out which pharmacies are participating in the promotion on this site or by searching Portsmouth Healthy Living Pharmacy on facebook.
 

Thumbs up for Portsmouth pharmacy project from professional leads

Three new pharmacies join the healthy living family

 23 February 2011

Three more pharmacies in Portsmouth have been awarded Healthy Living Pharmacy status.

Rowland’s pharmacies in Winter Road and 129 Eastney Road and Merali pharmacy in Queen Street are the latest to gain the NHS Portsmouth kitemark. The scheme has been designed to recognise pharmacies that take a pro-active approach to wellbeing and offer a range of NHS services.

As well as advising patients about medicines and answering questions about a wide range of health problems, pharmacy teams also have the expertise to help local people quit smoking, cut back on their drinking or loose weight.

“Healthy Living Pharmacies are passionate about supporting people to make changes that will help them improve their health. A large part of this support comes from Health Trainer Champions, who are experts in local health based in the stores. As well as providing services that are free for patients in the pharmacy we’re also available to advise on other services in the city,” said Janet Bowhill, Pharmaceutical Advisor at NHS Portsmouth.

Pharmacies are eligible to display the logo when staff have undergone special training, are providing services to a consistently high standard and demonstrate a healthy living ethos. The Healthy Living Pharmacy kitemark was first introduced in Portsmouth in June 2010. Following its success in the city many other areas are expressing an interest in creating similar schemes

The three new awards take the total number of Health Living Pharmacies in the city to 14.
 

Pharmacy tour takes in football match

15 February 2011
 

Portsmouth’s Healthy Living Pharmacies are taking to the road again – and this time the destination is Fratton Park.
 

Pharmacy Health Trainer Champions will be at Portsmouth FC’s match against Barnsley this Saturday. The champions will be based in the car park aboard the Pompey bus from 1pm until kick off. They will be offering fans a chance to check up on their health and ask any questions about healthy lifestyles or the NHS services on offer in their local pharmacy.

The event follows on from a string of successful road shows last summer, and a stand at the University of Portsmouth Refreshers Fayre earlier this month. Since the first Healthy Living Pharmacies were launched by NHS Portsmouth in June last year the project has won national recognition from the health chiefs and the pharmacy industry.

Now that the city’s 14 Healthy Living Pharmacies have shown that they are helping more people than ever to get the full benefit from their medicines, stop smoking, loose weight or cut back on their drinking, other areas are keen to take up the initiative.

At the event on Saturday fans who drop by will be able to find out their BMI, blood pressure, alcohol score and take home information about where to find a local pharmacy.

Health Trainer Champion Tracey Jones from Rowland’s in Kingston Crescent said: “It’s great to meet people who don’t use their pharmacy much at the moment and may not be aware of the range of services available in a Healthy Living Pharmacy and expertise within the pharmacy team.”

“Healthy Living Pharmacies really do offer something for everybody from emergency contraception to long term support to loose weight, and with no appointment needed and convenient opening hours we can be your first stop for health.”

For more information visit: www.pompey-pharmacy.info or search ‘Portsmouth Healthy Living pharmacy’ on facebook.
 

Pharmacy set to help keep New Year promises

4 January 2011

Portsmouth’s Healthy Living Pharmacies are all set to help their communities keep their New Year health resolutions.

Last year 11 chemists stores in the city achieved the Healthy Living Pharmacy kite mark from NHS Portsmouth. The award recognises pharmacies where the customer’s wellbeing is at the heart of everything done, and a range of high quality NHS services are provided.

Healthy Living Pharmacies have NHS services to support people looking to loose weight, quit smoking or cut back their drinking in 2011.

As part of the scheme each pharmacy has a health trainer champion - an in store expert on healthy living and services in the local area. They can give free and confidential advice on a wide range of lifestyle issues, and there is no need for an appointment.

Hemraj Shingdia, Pharmacist at Berry Pharmacy in Sultan Road, Buckland said: "Changes such as quitting smoking, loosing weight, or cutting back your drinking can be challenging but potentially make a big difference to your health so it’s worth doing.

"Everybody is welcome to come in and talk to us about what they would like to achieve to improve their health this year and we will discuss how we can help support you to reach your goals."

Find out more about services offered by pharmacies in the city at www.pompey-pharmacy.info

Tesco Awarded Healthy Living Pharmacy Status

29 December 2010

NHS Portsmouth are delighted to announce the first big brand supermarket to be awarded their new accreditation.

The pharmacy team at Tesco’s flagship store in North Harbour is not only celebrating its completion of a new ‘Healthy Living Pharmacy’ accreditation, but also the fact that it is the first supermarket to do so.

Launched earlier this year, the Healthy Living Pharmacy scheme has been designed for both the industry and its customers to recognise pharmacies that have demonstrated a commitment to pro-actively engaging with the public. By offering health advice and promoting a variety of services, including help to stop smoking, reduce alcohol consumption and lose weight, the kitemark signifies that the health and wellbeing of its local community is at the heart of everything a pharmacy team does.

‘In order to receive the kitemark, a pharmacy needs to have engaged with its local GP practice, participated in multi-disciplinary work and achieved specific targets for both its Stop Smoking Service and Medicine Use Reviews,’ explains Deborah Evans, Project Leader for Healthy Living Pharmacy. ‘Staff attend specialised training courses and at least one member of the team needs to have qualified as a Health Trainer Champion.’

‘We are really proud to now be a Healthy Living Pharmacy,’ says Zachariah Nazar, Pharmacy Manager at Tesco North Harbour. ‘Being a supermarket facility, it can be more of a challenge to build up customer loyalty, so for us this accreditation reflects the effort we have put into public interaction and engagement and how much our customers trust us.’

‘Tesco has a policy of encouraging its pharmacies to support NHS projects and likes to be at the forefront of new initiatives whenever possible.’

The success of the scheme was not only recognized in the government’s most recent White Paper on Public Health, Healthy Lives, Healthy People, but was the reason for a visit to Portsmouth from Pharmacy Minister, Lord Howe, earlier this month.

‘Health Living Pharmacy has accomplished a great deal this year with a third of the pharmacies in Portsmouth signing up to and receiving the kitemark,’ says Janet Bowhill, Pharmaceutical Advisor for NHS Portsmouth. ‘To have a huge name like Tesco join branches of pharmacy brands such as Lloyds and Rowlands and independent family businesses is a real asset to the project.’

‘I know the team at Tesco North Harbour worked very hard for this and we are delighted to be awarding them Healthy Living Pharmacy status.’
 

Helen Can Do It!

24 November 2010

A Healthy Living Pharmacy Health Trainer Champion has been recognised as making a real difference to her community by her local daily newspaper, and flying the flag for pharmacies' role in healthcare.

Helen Holyoak, dispensing assistant at Lloydspharmacy in Milton Road, Portsmouth, has been nominated as a finalist by ‘The News’ in their annual ‘We Can Do It’ awards. Helen was interviewed by the paper last month to promote NHS Portsmouth’s Healthy Living Pharmacy initiative. Since finding out how passionate Helen is about improving health and wellbeing for every customer who enters the store, editors selected her for the weekly series which highlights local heroes making good news in the city.

Helen was put forward to the monthly round up and now her mission to encourage healthier lifestyles has been put forward to a panel of judges for the annual awards which are made at a fun-packed ceremony on Monday 29 November.

Gary Winter, Lloydspharmacy’s area manager commented: “We’re really proud of Helen and her achievements so far. Her commitment to her customers and colleagues is absolutely fantastic. At Lloydspharmacy our staff are incredibly important to us, their expertise and passion for helping patients is one of the main reasons our customers keep coming back; and it’s people like Helen that are great ambassadors for the company.”

Helen told the paper: “I am not qualified to give medical advice, but what I do is encourage people to lead a more healthy life.

“I love it with a passion. There’s nothing I like more than helping change people’s behavioural patterns”

Helen was recently awarded Health Trainer Champion of the Year in NHS Portsmouth’s first Healthy Living Pharmacy awards. Janet Bowhill prescribing adviser at NHS Portsmouth said “Helen embodies exactly what being a health trainer champion is all about. She is a true Portsmouth girl and builds an excellent rapport with people. When it comes to helping people improve their health Helen certainly can do it.”

Portsmouth pharmacy project shortlisted for national award

16 November 2010

Portsmouth’s Healthy Living Pharmacy scheme has been shortlisted for an Acorn Award from the NHS Alliance.

The Acorn awards are set up to recognise excellence in healthcare design and the results are set to be announced this week in Bournemouth at the NHS Alliance national conference.

The healthy lifestyle focused project has been developed in the city by NHS Portsmouth, working closely with the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Local Pharmaceutical Committee (LPC). The project is the focus of increasing national interest. The scheme sees community pharmacies offering a range of NHS services to help people improve and maintain their health and wellbeing.

Nominations for the Acorn awards were made in July and the shortlisting reflects the work in the year leading up to the accreditation of the first six Healthy Living Pharmacies in June 2010. To date ten pharmacies have been awarded the status with more expected to follow in the coming months.

“We are very pleased to be shortlisted as it reflects the hard work of all those involved and more importantly patients are now seeing very positive results. Over the last 18 months we have worked hard to ensure the services in pharmacy are of a consistently high quality whether that is support to stop smoking, loose weight or get the most out of your medicines,” said Katie Hovenden, Associate Director of Primary Care and Medicines Management.

“We are very proud of what has been achieved and the people behind the service. For example we now have 41 Health Trainer champions in 30 pharmacies on hand to give patients healthy lifestyle advice and these teams are making a real difference to the support which is offered to a whole range of people.

The NHS Alliance is an independent organisation which aims to bring together PCTs with practices, clinicians with managers and board members - and NHS primary care with its patients. Healthy Living Pharmacy has been nominated in the Pharmaceutical Services Commissioning category.

 

Health query? Ask Your Pharmacist!

9 November 2010

NHS Portsmouth is supporting the National Pharmaceutical Association’s Ask Your Pharmacist Week (8-14 November 2010).

The focus for the week is Pharmacy on the Frontline – highlighting the important role the experts in community pharmacies have in helping the public with everyday health problems. The theme of the awareness campaign is especially relevant to Portsmouth, where the Healthy Living Pharmacy project has emphasised the pharmacies’ role at the heart of community health and wellbeing.

“Many people still think of pharmacy as a place to pick up a packet of pills, rather than the package of care we offer customers” said Desislava Milanova, Pharmacist at Rowlands, Highlands Road which was awarded Healthy living Pharmacy status this month.

“With a range of NHS services such a medicines use reviews, emergency contraception, support to stop smoking, loose weight or cut back on alcohol Healthy Living Pharmacy really does over something for everybody.” Desislava added.
 

Pharmacy Awards night celebrates Healthy Living achievers

5 November 2010

Individuals and teams who have led the Healthy Living Pharmacy scheme in Portsmouth to achieve solid results during the first year of the national pilot were recognised at an awards ceremony held last night (4 November) by NHS Portsmouth.

The top gong Healthy Living Pharmacy of the Year was scooped by Rowlands Pharmacy, Kingston Crescent. It was a double whammy for manager Pamela Macpherson who also won Healthy Living Pharmacy Leader of the Year.

“Kingston Crescent clearly lives the Healthy Living Pharmacy ethos, involving every member of the team. They have attended a huge number of events to help raise awareness of services in their community, visiting gyms, supermarkets and cafes get the message to local people. They are ambitious to do more collaborative working. Their entry included endorsements from members of the public and professionals who all spoke of a team that go the extra mile for patients and are always smiling,” said Dr. Paul Edmondson-Jones, Director of Public Health and Primary Care for NHS Portsmouth, who presented the awards alongside the Deputy Lord Mayor of Portsmouth Cllr Cheryl Buggy.

Pam Macpherson said: “being awarded leader of the year was great; but I very much wanted to recognise the tea,. I was shocked and delighted for us to be awarded Healthy Living Pharmacy of the Year. I hope we will carry on to make our impact even better next year.”

Other titles awarded were “Working with Others” a category put in place to recognise the strong relationships built between pharmacy teams and other health professionals such as GPs. The award went to Laly’s Pharmacy Kingston Road.

The pharmacy team have built up strong relationships with GPs even sharing Christmas lunch with their local surgery! They also value working with other health professionals all to the benefit of the patients who use the pharmacy.

Helen Holyoak, of Lloyds Pharmacy Milton Road scooped Health Trainer Champion of the Year. Helen oozes passion for promoting health to her local community and has represented the health trainer champion role across local and national media.

NHS Portsmouth also declared its Smoke Free Champions of the Year – City Pharmacy, London Road. The award reflects the importance of stop smoking service to improving health and the efforts of the team in helping 37 people quit smoking in the first five months of this year alone.

“Everyone of these winners demonstrated energy, motivation, enthusiasm and a desire amongst everybody to make it work,” said Michael Holden, Chief Officer of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Local Pharmaceutical Committee.

The awards night was an opportunity to officially announce three new Healthy Living pharmacies: Berry’s Pharmacy in Sultans Road, Goldchem Pharmacy in Albert Road and Rowlands Pharmacyin Highlands Road bringing the total number to ten.

The Deputy Lord Mayor of Portsmouth Councillor Cheryl Buggy was also recognised a new cohort of Health Trainer Champions who have qualified (royal society of public health level 2 health improvement award) after passing an assessment following a six week course. Becoming Health Trainer Champions enables them to deliver health advice to customers, to lead on health promotion within their stores and direct customers effectively to a wide range of local health services.

Deputy Lord Mayor of Portsmouth Cllr Cheryl Buggy said: “I have been bowled over by what’s been achieved. It is immensely impressive and this is just the beginning. What a fantastic group of dedicated people.”

 

First ever Portsmouth pharmacy awards night

 3 November 2010

NHS Portsmouth is set to hold its inaugural Healthy Living Pharmacy Awards this Thursday evening at St James’ Hospital, Southsea.

The celebration event will official recognise a further three Healthy Living Pharmacies, bring the total count to 10 in the city. A new cohort of Health Trainer Champions will receive their certificates from The Deputy Lord Mayor of Portsmouth Cllr Cheryl Buggy. The highlight of the evening will be the presentation of five awards recognising achievements in accredited and aspiring Healthy Living Pharmacies.

The pharmacies in the running will find out on the evening who will scoop the honours for Working with Others, Smoke-free Champion of the Year, Health Trainer Champion of the Year, Leader of the Year and Healthy Living Pharmacy of the Year.

The awards were set up to reward the commitment of local pharmacies to the national Healthy Living Pharmacy pilot project running in the city and encourage pharmacies to share examples of good practice.

“Across the NHS and especially in community based services such as Pharmacy, people are very modest in taking credit for the incredible difference they make to individual’s health and wellbeing. For too long Pharmacists have not recorded their interventions, remained quiet and simply put it down to being part of the day job,” said Michael Holden Chief Officer of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Local Pharmaceutical Committee.

“But it’s an amazing job, and everyone of the people having their achievements recognised this week should feel very proud of their role.”

Dr Paul Edmondson-Jones, Director of Public Health and Primary Care at NHS Portsmouth said: “ I am very much looking forward to this event as a chance to congratulate all of our Healthy Living Pharmacies and aspiring Healthy Living Pharmacies on their achievements in 2010. They should all feel immensely proud of the changes they have helped deliver through Healthy Living Pharmacy.

“We’ve seen some fantastic results and some excellent examples of how their dedication is making a real difference to the health and wellbeing of local people. They have also taken on the important role of raising the profile of Healthy Living Pharmacy in the community, amongst health professionals and on the national agenda.

“It is with great excitement that I anticipate how Healthy Living Pharmacy in Portsmouth will continue to build on this year’s triumphs and prove what we can offer to improve wellbeing and reduce health inequalities in our city.

“Healthy Living Pharmacy has a clear evidence based approach and seeks to add to that evidence base. It offers clear value for money, improved productivity and much better opportunities for a wider range of people to benefit from these services.”

 

As nights draw in pharmacy stay lit up late

With the clocks going back this weekend, Portsmouth’s NHS pharmacies are getting set to help customers through the long, dark and wintry nights.

The Rowland’s pharmacy team in Fratton Road donned their pyjamas and slippers in store to show that they are still working when many people are beginning to think about sleeping.

The friendly team are still wide awake after dark and available not only to offer health advice, treatments and prescriptions but also many of the wellbeing services they provide as a Healthy Living Pharmacy.

"We’re here after many other non-urgent health service have gone home for the night, you don’t need to be an ‘emergency case’ to come in and talk to us about any aspect of your health and wellbeing, such as stopping smoking or cutting back on how much you drink." said Sophie Furmedge from the Pharmacy team.

"Pharmacy is a great first stop for the family’s health problems too," said pharmacist Oliver Carter. "As a pharmacist, I’m trained to know about allsorts of symptoms. So you can pop in, talk about the problem in our confidential consultation room, and I’ll let you know if you need to call your GP or visit a minor injuries unit tonight, or if you should wait until the morning. I can also advise on what medicines to take so you can feel better sooner."

In a recent survey 93% of Portsmouth residents said they found pharmacy opening hours convenient, and the Rowland’s team are not the only pharmacy night owls in the city - Asda in Fratton, Tesco Port Solent, Morrison’s Anchorage Park and Sainsbury’s Farlington all have late opening pharmacy services.

Most pharmacies close between 6pm-7pm on weekdays, late opening pharmacies are:
* Asda Fratton – 11pm (10pm Saturday, 4pm Sunday)
* Tesco 10:30pm (10pm Saturday, 4pm Sunday)
* Sainsbury’s 10pm (9pm Saturday, 4pm Sunday)
* Rowlands Fratton Road 8pm (5.30pm Saturday, 6pm Sunday)
* Morrison’s 8pm (6pm Saturday, 4pm Sunday)

As well as using a pharmacy for health advice local people are able to choose from a range of health services for urgent health problems at the evenings and weekends.

* After 6pm the GP out of hours service comes online, for people who have a medical problem that can’t wait until the surgery is open. The number of the service can be found on your GPs answering machine. Callers will have their symptoms assessed by telephone and they may be offered advice over the phone an assessment at the service base at Queen Alexandra hospital or a home visit if their condition is very serious.

* Guildhall Walk Healthcare Centre is available until 8pm every evening without an appointment.

* The St Mary’s NHS Treatment Centre, is open until 9.30pm, and there are similar services at the Minor Injuries Units at Gosport War Memorial (9pm) and Petersfield Community Hospital (9pm).

* You can contact NHS Direct 24 hours a day for health advice, help to choose the most appropriate service and information on local services and their opening hours.

* Only attend the Emergency Department or call 999 for very serious illnesses or accidents (life threatening).

 

Pharmacy alcohol service launched for Portsmouth

40% of adults in Portsmouth who assessed their alcohol habits this summer discovered they may be drinking at levels that put their health at risk.

The figures were uncovered by an alcohol audit conducted in community pharmacies across the city in June on behalf of NHS Portsmouth. Customers were asked to complete a ‘rethink your drink’ scratch card to help them identify their drinking patterns and give an alcohol rating between 0 and 12.

Over 3400 people took part in the poll, with around a fifth of respondents over 50, half between 25-50 and the rest under 25 years old. 40% had an alcohol rating over 5, which means drinking may be harmful to health and 8% had a rating at the top of the scale where drinking presents a very high risk to health.

Pharmacy staff were able to offer a range of help to those who found out that their drinking may be harmful, aimed at helping to cut back to safer habits. The most common support was brief counselling alongside an information leaflet. Customers could also be offered more in-depth guidance or a referral to specialist alcohol services.

Thanks to the success of the trial and the need identified from October 1st the pharmacy alcohol service has been extended, with 19 pharmacies across the city taking part. They are all accredited or aspiring Healthy Living Pharmacies as much of the work to deliver and promote the service to customers will be taken on by ‘Health Trainer Champions’. The champions have been trained to provide expert NHS advice on practical ways to cut back drinking in a one off session lasting around 10 minutes. Customers are asked to set their own goal for how much they will cut back. With the customer’s permission the pharmacy will telephone them three months later to see how they are doing.

Alan Knobel, substance misuse co-ordinator Safer Portsmouth Partnership said “An alcohol service in pharmacy will help more people access effective advice and support in cutting back their drinking. We think many people were more honest with the assessments of their drinking in the pharmacy, which shows that people trust their pharmacy team and it make pharmacies good place to offer support.”

 

Portsmouth Pharmacies introduce Health Trainer Champions

6 October 2010

As part of its pioneering developments in the UK’s first ‘Healthy Living Pharmacies’, NHS Portsmouth is proud to announce the success of its ‘Health Trainer Champions’.

When Portsmouth was chosen to pioneer the UK’s first Healthy Living Pharmacies scheme, one of the key elements was to introduce a new level of staff that would enable pharmacies to support the public with personal health issues. Now a new wave of qualified ‘Health Trainer Champions’ are working in pharmacies throughout the city.

Chosen from technicians and counter staff who applied to the scheme, becoming a Health Trainer Champion involved a six week intensive training course on how to run health campaigns, signpost members of the public to appropriate services and update the teams they work with on the latest industry and local developments.

‘Health Trainer Champions are effectively experts in local health services,’ says Janet Bowhill, Pharmaceutical Advisor for NHS Portsmouth. ‘They are not only fully trained in a range of services themselves, but are a source of information for both the public and their colleagues.’

Whilst being a Health Trainer Champion is the first step to becoming a full Health Trainer, many of the new recruits are taking pride in their achievement for very personal reasons.

‘I have always had the desire to help and look after people,’ says Alison Hills, one of the new Health Trainer Champions working from Rowlands Pharmacy in Paulsgrove. ‘I actually changed jobs to work at this pharmacy because it has given me the opportunity to work in such a wide variety of services.’

‘I enjoy working in a community where people need and appreciate help with their personal health,’ she continues. ‘When someone comes to see me with a cough and, over time, I am able to help them stop smoking or when I identify someone has high blood pressure and can recommend what they should do about it, I cannot describe the personal satisfaction and pride I feel.’

‘We are delighted that Alison and all her colleagues have taken to the scheme with such enthusiasm and dedication,’ says explains Deborah Evans, Lead Pharmacist for the project. ‘It is thanks to people such as these that Healthy Living Pharmacies in Portsmouth are setting such an inspirational example for the rest of the UK.’

 

Portsmouth Pharmacy road show hailed a success

4 October 2010
 

Department of Health officials have congratulated a team of healthcare professionals in Portsmouth after the positive public reaction to the city’s new Healthy Living Pharmacies.

The remarks came from pharmacy leaders from the Department of Health following their visit to an interactive roadshow which toured the city in August. The event was run by NHS Portsmouth with support from staff at 18 pharmacies. The visitors said they were highly impressed with the enthusiasm, motivation and commitment of the team interacting with the public. Over 4,000 people stopped at the trailer to talk about Healthy Living Pharmacy or take information.

The Health Living Pharmacy scheme awards pharmacies that provide a range of NHS services to a high standard a quality mark from the NHS. They also must be focused on the health and wellbeing of their community and have a ‘Health Trainer Champion’ in post. The Health Trainer Champion has a vital role in directing customers to local health services and promoting healthy lifestyles.

The roadshow was designed to illustrate what a Healthy Living Pharmacy could do for local people, and emphasised that they are about more than just medicines. Healthy Living Pharmacies offer help, for example, to stop smoking, support to loose weight, emergency contraception and a medicines ‘MOT’ service.

The scheme itself and the promotional activity accompanying it is being considered a national pilot. NHS Portsmouth won funding to raise awareness of pharmacy from the Department of Health in 2009/10.

Janet Bowhill, Pharmaceutical Adviser at NHS Portsmouth said: “The roadshow far exceeded our expectations. I hope everyone that our advisors spoke to benefits from the individual health advice given; and that if they need help to make a change to their lifestyle they think of Healthy Living Pharmacy providing that support.”

Over 400 of the road show visitors agreed to have their blood pressure measured in order to find out more about their health.

43% of people recorded a high reading, above 140/90; more than the national average (38%) but lower than a similar undertaking to measure blood pressures during know your numbers week 2008, which found 53% of participants had high blood pressure.

“As high blood pressure can indicate a range of health concerns that are not being addressed I’m pleased to see a reduction in the figures,” said Portsmouth’s Director of Public Health Dr Paul Edmondson-Jones.

“But it’s clear, from the data recorded and most importantly talking to staff and patients, that people in Portsmouth need convenient access to NHS services and support to live healthier lifestyles. That’s where Healthy Living Pharmacy can help them.”

 

Pharmacy project shortlisted for NHS award

28 September 2010

NHS Portsmouth’s Healthy Living Pharmacy scheme is one of two projects in the city to be nominated for a Health and Social Care Award in the South Central regional final.

The scheme is shortlisted against two other initiatives in the Primary Care and Community Based Integration category. The awards are open to all 24 NHS organisations in the region (covering Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire) and the numerous partner agencies they work with to provide health and social care.

“We are delighted to be nominated for such a prestigious award,” said Janet Bowhill, prescribing advisor at NHS Portsmouth. 
 
“The Healthy Living Pharmacy scheme packages together some very real achievements in community pharmacy. Pharmacies are working more closely than ever with local GPs and the PCT.

“For example we have supported pharmacies to work towards the Healthy Living Pharmacy status with training to enhance the relationships between the professions, with in the pharmacy team and with customers.
 
“Awarding Health Living Pharmacy status allows the PCT to recognise commitment, quality and productivity in pharmacies helping to make it easier for people to access local health services. We’ve already seen an increase in patients using services such as smoking cessation.”

Patients can identify Healthy Living Pharmacies through the Healthy Living Pharmacy logo or find them on this website (www.pompey-pharmacy.info.)

To date, NHS Portsmouth has awarded seven pharmacies in the city Healthy Living Pharmacy status, including the pharmacy winners of The News Best of Health Award, City Pharmacy in North End.

The Health and Social care award scheme is run by the Department of Health, NHS Institute and each of the SHAs. Regional winners are also considered for the national level of awards.

The planned care team from NHS Portsmouth has also been nominated in the Excellence in Commissioning category.

The winners will be announced on October 7 at a presentation evening to be held at Oxford Brookes University.

Pharmacy Roadshow Launches Pilot in Portsmouth

17 August 2010

An innovative new scheme that encourages people to make full use of their local pharmacy is being pioneered throughout the city of Portsmouth and launched with a week-long roadshow offering free health advice to the public.

From Tuesday 24 August, staff from NHS Portsmouth and pharmacies across the city will be taking to the streets and offering free health advice to mark the introduction of the UK’s first ‘Health Living Pharmacies’.

Free blood pressure testing, and health advice will be available from 10am to 7pm at Asda in Fratton on Tuesday, Aldi in North End on Wednesday, Guildhall Square on Thursday, Palmerston Road in Southsea on Friday and on Southsea Common opposite the Hovercraft on Saturday.

‘Most people think that pharmacies are for either collecting prescriptions or buying medicine,’ says Katie Hovenden Associate Director of Primary Care and Medicines Management for NHS Portsmouth. ‘This initiative is to show the public that Pharmacists are highly qualified medical professionals who can recognise and deal with minor ailments, offer health advice and review medications and treatments.’

After the initial roadshow launch, a campaign will begin to raise the profile of services that are available in pharmacies such as support for quitting smoking, losing weight and access to emergency contraception. One of the many expected benefits of this increased public awareness will be to reduce pressure and waiting times on GPs.

‘The ‘Healthy Living Pharmacies’ kitemark is an accreditation that has been awarded to pharmacies who have fulfilled the criteria set by NHS Portsmouth,’ explains Deborah Evans, Lead Pharmacist for the project. ‘If a pharmacy has this logo on display, it will signify that the health and wellbeing of their local community is at the heart of everything the team do.’

As well as big brand names such as Rowlands, Lloyds and Boots having achieved Healthy Living Pharmacy status in its branches, independent pharmacies such Lalys in Kingston Road and City Pharmacy in North End have also seen the benefit going for the accreditation.

‘The pharmacies in Portsmouth have been tremendously supportive of this scheme,’ says Janet Bowhill, Pharmaceutical Advisor for NHS Portsmouth. ‘The first wave of Healthy Living Pharmacies are up and running with more ready to be awarded the accreditation in the autumn.’


 

Portsmouth Pharmacies unite to help Stop Smoking

10 August 2010

NHS stop smoking support is now available in every one of the city’s 37 Community Pharmacies. Stop Smoking services first became available on the NHS in selected Portsmouth Pharmacies in 2006. Customers can now walk into any pharmacy in Portsmouth and take the first steps towards being smoke-free.

All the pharmacies now offer smokers help in setting and preparing for a quit date. They will receive nicotine replacement therapies (NRT) such as patches and gum, opportunities to monitor their progress and be offered support at weekly one to one appointments. There is a one-off prescription to charge to cover all the NRT products, but not for those who don’t pay for prescriptions.

“We’re really pleased to be able to offer this service to our customers. Stopping smoking is one of the biggest improvements you can make for your health. People tell us they find it reassuring to know they are able to pop into the pharmacy in-between time for advice,” said Julia Wallis, health trainer champion at Sainsbury’s Pharmacy in Farlington, one of the stores that has recently joined the service.

“When compared to the national averages, a larger proportion of adults in Portsmouth still smoke, so offering a range of ‘stop smoking’ services that fit in with people’s lifestyles is very important,” said Louise Bevan, stop smoking co-ordinator for NHS Portsmouth.

“With NHS support a person is up to four times more likely to quit. Last year pharmacies helped over 560 people in the city stop smoking, so we know these services are successful and that people want to use them.”

Services such as quit smoking are a key part of the Healthy Living Pharmacy scheme which launched in Portsmouth earlier this year. Pharmacies that deliver a full range of NHS services can become accredited as a Healthy Living Pharmacy, showing that they have a focus on the health and wellbeing of each customer and the local community.

NHS Portsmouth Launch Pharmacy major campaign

06 August 2010

NHS Portsmouth is undertaking a major campaign aim to raise public awareness of the city’s community pharmacies.

Seven local pharmacies have been awarded the PCT’s ‘Healthy Living Pharmacy’ kitemark to date. The pharmacies have achieved criteria set around the range and quality of NHS services provided, staff training and attitudes, and store facilities. More pharmacies are expected to be accredited this month.

NHS Portsmouth has appointed Portsmouth-based PR freelancer Robin Lander Brinkley and design from Guerilla Marketing.

The scheme is being promoted through media relations, community engagement and outdoor and radio advertising. NHS Portsmouth will run a week long road show in August with the support of local branches of major pharmacy chains and independents. The Portsmouth campaign is one of four regional campaigns that received financial backing from the Department of Health’s pharmacy communications budget (09/10).

"Many people do not realise the level of expertise available at their local pharmacy or the range of NHS services that their pharmacy team provides," said Vicky Griffin, Communications Manager, NHS Portsmouth. "By highlighting the offering at Healthy Living Pharmacy we hope that people will feel more confident in choosing their local pharmacy for services and make pharmacy their first stop for everyday health advice."