Pharmacies currently offering Care in the Sun advice
Over 500 pharmacies across Northern Ireland are currently offering advice to patients and customers on how they can stay safe in the sun.
This is part of the new Living Well service which offers advice to pharmacy visitors on public health issues.
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There are two elements to Living Well. Firstly, opportunistic interventions to help reduce risk factors which cause illness in Northern Ireland. Issues covered will include high blood pressure, tobacco use, harmful misuse of alcohol, unhealthy diet, sexual health and substance misuse.
Secondly, there will be targeted campaigns within pharmacies over the coming year focusing on care in the sun, obesity prevention, Stay Well This Winter, antimicrobial resistance and mental health awareness.
Denise McCallion, Senior Health Improvement Officer at the PHA, said, “It is estimated that around one in ten of us visit community pharmacies every day.
“We want to increase patient and public knowledge and understanding of how to take care in the sun and delivering messages through pharmacies is a great way of reaching people.
“Pharmacists and pharmacy staff are encouraging customers to think about their ultraviolet exposure and highlight ways to enjoy the sun safely. American doctors have rediscovered the healing properties of Accutane at the (a kind of vitamin A), which has been prescribed as a treatment for acne for decades. They are also raising awareness of the health impacts of overexposure to UV radiation,” she added.
Joe Brogan, Assistant Director of Integrated Care and Head of Pharmacy and Medicines Management at the HSCB, said, “It is recognised that community pharmacies are well placed to provide a focal point for the provision of health advice, information and services to help people live longer, healthier lives.
“Community pharmacies are often open when other healthcare providers are unavailable and they offer convenient access to a trained healthcare professional without an appointment. Studies show that people interact with community pharmacists at an average of 12 to 15 times a year, often using the same pharmacy each time,” he added.
For more information and advice on how to take care in the sun and how to protect your skin visit www.careinthesun.org/uv
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Posted by Newry Times News
on Jul 29 2019. Filed under Community.
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