Ministers welcome success of medicines delivery service
Health Minister Robin Swann and Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey have welcomed the excellent response to a new volunteer-led scheme delivering medicines to patients.
The scheme is being coordinated by Community Development and Health Network to deliver medication during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Minister Swann said: “It is vital that those who are unable to leave their home because of Covid-19 continue to get access to their medicines. Many of us can rely on family members, friends, or local support for help. However, there are people having to self-isolate who are experiencing difficulties and it is for those people that this service has been introduced.”
“I am aware that community pharmacies have been working extremely hard to meet the increased demand for home deliveries of medicines within their communities. I am greatly encouraged to report that over 170 pharmacies have signed up to the new scheme and 142 of them have been matched with a community or voluntary sector organisation.”
The Health and Social Care Board is continuing to work closely with the Community Development and Health Network (CDHN) to coordinate volunteer organisations who will provide vital support to community pharmacies.
CDHN Director Joanne Morgan said: “CDHN have a long history of facilitating community pharmacists and local community organisations to work together to better understand and address health inequalities. We are very proud to witness that partnership ethos continued in this way. I am also particularly encouraged by the joint working between DoH and DfC to support delivery on the ground.”
Minister Hargey said: “It is thanks to the work coordinated by Community Development Health Network and carried out by the volunteer network, including sporting organisations that patients will continue to get their medicines. During this outbreak, we have seen many excellent examples of volunteering in the battle against Covid-19. I believe this delivery scheme to be a great example of voluntary action which is designed to help the most vulnerable members of our community and I applaud the Community Development Health Network, the Health and Social Care Board and the many volunteers in their efforts to achieve this.”
Notes to editors:
- This is a temporary arrangement to support community pharmacies as they cope with additional demands during the response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
- For media enquiries please contact the Department of Health Press Office pressoffice@health-ni.gov.uk . Out of hours please contact the Duty Press Office on 028 9037 8110.
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- For more information on the scheme go to: www.cdhn.org/community-support-community-pharmacy-faqs