Patients are highly satisfied with the new Pharmacy First service, which enables pharmacists to assess and treat patients for seven common conditions,
according to a survey by the National Pharmacy Association (NPA).
Nearly 100 NPA members participated in the snapshot poll conducted at the end of the first full week of the service.
Nine in ten respondents (87 per cent) said that "most or all patients expressed satisfaction" with the service they received.
However, many independent community pharmacy owners are facing challenges in implementing the service.
While 56 per cent of pharmacy owners surveyed expressed feeling "motivated" by the new service, a larger proportion (70 per cent) indicated being "under
additional pressure."
More than 30 per cent of the respondents found implementation of the service "harder" than they had expected.
NHS England is encouraging people to get their flu and Covid vaccines as hospitals dealt with the highest number of norovirus and flu cases this winter.
An average of 688 patients with norovirus were in hospital each day last week, 75 per cent higher than the same time last year (393), according to the latest
data from NHS England.
The data also showed an average of 2,226 patients with flu in hospital each day last week, which is three-quarters higher than the same week last January (1,290).
Compared to last month, there has been an 80 per cent increase in the daily count of norovirus cases and 70 per cent in flu cases.
In the week ending Dec 31, NHSE recorded 1,312 hospital admissions due to norovirus and 376 and 1,312 flu cases each day.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has reclassified codeine linctus, a medicine used for the treatment of dry cough, from
a pharmacy-only medicine (P) to a prescription-only medicine (POM) owing to the risk of dependence, addiction, and overdose.
This implies that the dry cough syrup, which is also known as codeine oral solution, can only be dispensed upon the submission of a prescription at a pharmacy,
rather than being accessible over the counter upon request.
Patients are cautioned that as an opioid medicine, codeine can be addictive, and the risk of addiction may increase, particularly with prolonged use over an
extended period.
According to the medicines regulator, codeine is converted into morphine by the liver enzyme CYP2D6. In individuals identified as ultra-rapid metabolizers, this
conversion from codeine to morphine occurs at a faster rate than in others.
"If you want to stop taking it and have been taking codeine linctus for a long time, then it is important to reduce the amount you take slowly with the help of
your prescriber," the agency said in its drug safety update issued on Tuesday, 20 February.
A Lake District pharmacy is grappling with significant medication supply issues, affecting its ability to provide essential drugs to customers amidst
nationwide drug shortages.
According to Simon Butterworth, whose family has operated Collins & Butterworth Pharmacy in Hawkshead for nearly 40 years, voiced his concerns to the ITV stating
that the staff is "having to spend time hunting for (medications), looking for it or doing our best to find ways to solve that problem" for distressed patients.
"They've got to know when they can get the medications they need," he added.
Butterworth also highlighted the financial strain pharmacies face due to the NHS's fixed tariff system.
"Certain items are actually costing more to buy than we get paid for them by the NHS. An item we were trying to get this morning was 250 per cent higher than the
tariff price, which is significant and builds up over lots of items," he explained.
Despite being more connected than ever, the majority of Europeans are experiencing feelings of loneliness. The STADA Health Report 2024, released on Monday,
revealed that over half (52 per cent) of Europeans "always, often or occasionally" feel lonely.
Although the younger generation reports the highest levels of overall happiness, they are the ones most affected by this current loneliness epidemic.
Nearly two-thirds (63 per cent) of Europeans aged 18 to 35 reported feeling lonely, compared to 41 percent of those aged 55 and older - according to the report,
based on a survey of over 46,000 respondents aged 18 to 99 across 32 countries.
Extensive screen time is contributing to increased loneliness among younger people. Europeans under the age of 34 are much more likely to spend long hours on
their devices (41 per cent) than those aged 35-54 (22 per cent) and those over 55 (13 per cent).
The survey found that people who spend a "long" or "fair" amount of time on social media were significantly more prone to feelings of loneliness compared to
those who restrict their screen time. Moreover, extensive screen time was also associated with more intense feelings of loneliness.
The Government has been forced to intervene formally 50 times in the past two years to authorise the use of alternative drugs because of serious medicine
shortages hitting patients, new analysis by the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) has found today.
78 per cent of all Serious Shortage Protocols, produced by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) due to medicine shortages, were issued in
2022/24 - more than three times the rate in the previous two years.
The NPA, which represents independent community pharmacies in the UK, is warning that shortages are leading to pharmacists having to increasingly turn
patients needing vital medication away.
Analysis by the NPA of the NHS's Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) issued to pharmacies and other providers over the last five years has found that:
The number of SSPs issued in the last two years is 3.5 times higher than in the previous two years.
A recent analysis conducted by the Company Chemists' Association (CCA) has revealed stark disparities in patient engagement with the Pharmacy First
service across the country, likening the pattern to a 'patchwork quilt'.
It indicated that patients in the highest-performing Integrated Care System (ICS) received seven times more Pharmacy First consultations than those in the
lowest-performing regions.
As of April 21, more than 3,000 CCA member pharmacies had delivered 126,484 Pharmacy First consultations since the programme's launch.
However, the analysis found significant regional variations, with nearly 13,000 consultations completed in the North East and North Cumbria ICS, while only
948 were completed in Gloucestershire ICS.
The CCA calculated that if every ICS had as many consultations as the highest-performing ICS, there would have been an additional 600,000 Pharmacy First
consultations nationwide.
A recent survey conducted by YouGov for the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) has highlighted concerning trends in the community pharmacy sector.
The survey published on July 18 and conducted over two days in June this year reveals the subsequent challenges patients face due to the increasing pharmacy
closure rates.
The survey findings, conducted among 2,183 UK adults, indicates that 18 per cent of the respondents reported at least one pharmacy closure in their local area
within the past year.
Specifically, 12 per cent respondents noted closure of one pharmacy, while 6 per cent observed the shutdown of more than one.
These closures are distributed across various regions, underscoring a nationwide issue rather than an isolated one.
To prevent stroke in certain high-risk patients -- those with a blocked neck artery who have already had a so-called "mini-stroke" -- drug treatment appears as effective and far less risky than bypass surgery, researchers find.
It's more than a brand name - Stomp Apparel has the quality and comfort to give you the confidence you need to get active, feel good about yourself and just look forward to the next hill.
It's more than a brand name - Stomp Apparel has the quality and comfort to give you the confidence you need to get active, feel good about yourself and just look forward to the next hill.
Reclining wheelchair
Reclining wheelchairs are available in standard folding frames with extended head supports and seat widths up to 24" wide. The recline mechanism is attendant operated with levers much like a bicycle brake lever. The levers operate hydraulic (pump) mechanisms for a smooth adjustment. Using this reclining mechanism, the chair back can easily and frequently be positioned to any angle.
Recliner wheelchair is low profile allowing you to comfortably fit under tables and desks. You can also enjoy numerous activities with increased comfort such as stretching, napping and watching television. The ability to recline also improves circulation and the ability for sore spots to heal.
We offer best quality Reclining Wheelchair which are suitable for indoor as well as outdoor purposes. Reclining Wheelchair are using high quality material to ensure high strength and durability. Our range of wheelchairs are available in foldable frames and are capable for 100 kgs.
Features:
Foldable frame.
Foldable armrest.
Foldable /detachable footrest.
Dual brake system.
Seat - fabric seat with foam.
Backrest - fabric backrest with foam.
Total weight- 26kgs.
Front wheels -8" solid wheels, rear wheels 24" solid.
Self propelling/ attendant type.
Reclining type backrest use of lever.
Detachable / adjustable headrest.
Benefits of Reclining Wheelchairs
Comfort - Recliner wheelchairs greatly improve the comfort factor of being in a wheelchair. Many scenarios such as lying down, reclining under desks, and eating with food trays are much easier.
Pressure Sores - The ability to recline helps distribute body weight and reduce pressure sores.
Transfers - Transferring from a reclining wheelchair to a bed is much easier than the standard wheelchair. The wheelchair can be adjusted to the same elevation as the bed; the user only needs to slide from the chair to the bed.
wheelchair category (standard, transport, power, etc.) could be classified as a reclining wheelchairs, since the product class is built around one key feature: the capability to adjust the backrest and/or footrest into a reclined position. This feature is especially important to users who find it difficult or impossible to sit in a fully upright position, and users who sleep in their chairs frequently. For those that are looking for a more portable chair, however, products from this category may not be a great fit. When compared with a similar, non-reclining chair, a reclining wheelchair tends to weigh more and - unlike other manual models - manual wheelchairs that recline typically aren't foldable.
Some people use special wheelchairs to distribute pressure and thus reduce the risk of skin sores. These chairs also increase comfort and sitting tolerance. One type of chair, called "tilt in space," changes a person's orientation while maintaining fixed hip, knee, and ankle angles. The whole seat, in effect, tilts. The other chair option is called a recline system, which basically changes the seat-to-back angle, flattening out the back of the chair and in some cases raising the legs to form a flat surface.
Different Types Of Reclining Wheelchairs:
Reclining Wheelchair 902 GC
Reclining Wheelchair 609 GC
Karma Aurora 4 Reclining Wheelchair
Karma Reclining Wheelchair KM 5000
Karma VIP 515 Wheelchair
Reclining Wheelchair 902 GC:
Reclining Wheelchair 902 GC is one of the basic models of a Reclining Wheelchair which helps transfer to bed to wheelchair easily and comes with head and neck support and Calf support for added comfort.
Reclining Wheelchair 902 GC Features:
The chair boast of movable armrest and elevating footrest.
A well padded thigh support helps the user thigh's during reclining.
The front and the rear wheels are designed and placed in such a way so as to support the users weight during reclining.
The Pneumatic rear wheels help the movement
Women can have various problems with menstruation / menstrual them. These problems may include not menstruate at all until the heavy and prolonged menstrual period. The pattern of menstruation may be irregular, but if the distance between the periods of less than 21 days or more than 3 months, or if your period lasts more than 10 days then you should be aware of a problem with ovulation or other medical conditions.
Are you struggling with the fact that you really don't know anything about how to get into shape?
If you're busy living in yesterday's errors, many of your decisions will be founded on guilt and shame instead of what you really want (and need) to accomplish to achieve your goals. Real change comes from day-to-day choices and becoming mindful and basing your choices on what you need now (rather than what you did or didn't do yesterday) will make your exercise life much more passable.
What if I can offer you a solution that will help you to attain greatness, to become a success and learn about the best ways to get in shape?
In this book, you will learn about:
- Navigate the Astral Plane
- MIRROR MADNESS
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- Beautiful Body Essential
- Secret of Food Combination
- Lose Weight Fasting
- Child Diet
- many other useful things!
Are you struggling with the fact that you really don't know anything about how to get into shape?
If you're busy living in yesterday's errors, many of your decisions will be founded on guilt and shame instead of what you really want (and need) to accomplish to achieve your goals. Real change comes from day-to-day choices and becoming mindful and basing your choices on what you need now (rather than what you did or didn't do yesterday) will make your exercise life much more passable.
What if I can offer you a solution that will help you to attain greatness, to become a success and learn about the best ways to get in shape?
In this book, you will learn about:
- Navigate the Astral Plane
- MIRROR MADNESS
- The Health Zen
- Vitamin Vitality
- Native American Healing
- Boost your Health with Gua Sha
- Beautiful Body Essential
- Secret of Food Combination
- Lose Weight Fasting
- Child Diet
- many other useful things!