Making your home both heat and cold-resistant may seem like a daunting task, but there are actually a few simple things you can do to make your home more
comfortable no matter the season. In this article, we'll share four ways to make your home both heat and cold-resistant.
INSTALL WEATHERSTRIPPING OR CAULKING
One of the best ways to make your home more resistant to both heat and cold is to install weatherstripping or caulking around all of the doors and windows. This
will help to seal up any cracks or gaps that might let the air escape, making it much easier to keep your home at a comfortable temperature no matter what the weather
is like outside.
One of the best ways to make your home both heat and cold resistant is to install weatherstripping around all of your doors and windows. This will help to seal in
the cool air during the summer and the warm air during the winter, making your home much more comfortable year-round.
Another way to improve your home's resistance to extreme temperatures is to caulk any gaps or cracks that you may have in your walls, floors, or ceilings. By doing
this, you'll prevent heat or cold from seeping into your home through these tiny openings, saving you money on your energy bills.
Pharmacy wholesaler PHOENIX UK is investing over £13 million to build a new state-of-the-art distribution hub in Wakefield.
The 260,000 sq. ft facility is expected to be operational next year and will service community pharmacies, hospitals and dispensing doctors across the North East
of England and Yorkshire.
In a statement on Tuesday (July 5), PHOENIX UK said the completed hub will feature 22 dock level loading bays and seven access doors to enable the productive arrival
and distribution of medical products.
It will also be highly energy efficient, including the use of Solar PV on its roof. The car park will also offer 46 electric vehicle charging bays.
Speaking at an official opening event held on 30 June to mark the expansion of the company's distribution capabilities, group managing director of PHOENIX Steve
Anderson said: "Over the last few years, we have seen an outstanding growth in customer demand for our core services outpacing the market: Wakefield is a prime
example of how we are committed to investing in the future by expanding our UK-wide operational capabilities to offer all our customers across the country the
best possible service they need, want and deserve.
The Pharmacists' Defence Association (PDA) has launched a brutal attack on some large pharmacy chains for full or part-day closures of some of their shops
throughout the UK.
It published an Open Letter on Tuesday (July 19) demanding urgent action "to protect patients by ensuring that essential community pharmacy services are provided
safely and consistently".
PDA chair Mark Koizol, who wrote the letter, went on to allege that many of those closure were "being orchestrated".
He wrote that the "pharmacist shortage" narrative cited as a reason for these closures was "very different" from "the reality experienced by our members", including
both employed and locum pharmacists.
"We have evidence to show that these closures are being announced up to four weeks in advance," Koizol claimed.
He gave examples of how a large company attempted to reduce the pre-agreed rate of locums and where this was not accepted, the shift was cancelled, resulting in the
pharmacy being closed for part or full day.
The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) has called the future prime minister to deliver on the commitments made by the previous health secretaries to reform
primary care through a 'pharmacy first' approach and fairly fund community pharmacies to avoid closures.
In an open letter, the NPA has urged Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss, the two leadership contenders of the Conservative Party and prime ministerial candidates, to think
radically about the role of England's 11,000 pharmacies, which are on the frontline of healthcare across the country.
NPA also highlighted how pharmacies could help clear the NHS backlog, free up millions more GP appointments, dramatically improve access to primary health care and
do more to prevent ill health and support people with long term medical conditions.
"Because of our unparalleled presence in deprived areas, we also have great potential to level up access to healthcare and address health inequalities. We set these
ideas out in How We Can Help, which is an improvement plan already welcomed by many of your colleagues."
The Pharmacists' Defence Association's anti-racist pharmacy toolkit was launched at the 2022 Clinical Pharmacy Congress.
The event also included a demonstration of how members could use the toolkit to work together to address inequality and discrimination in their workplace.
Elsy Gomez Campos, president of the PDA BAME Pharmacists' Network, gave an overview of issues raised by network members as well as broader professional issues
including over-representation of BAME pharmacists in fitness to practice complaints, under-representation of BAME pharmacists in leadership roles, limited access
to post-graduate education, and bullying and discrimination in the workplace.
She concluded her opening statement by reminding members of what an exemplary pharmacy profession should look like which is about "being treated fairly and being
offered the same opportunities to those that do not look like us."
Manuella Asso, organising assistant and PDA BAME Pharmacists' Network coordinator, explained that the toolkit for was representatives, members, and other pharmacists
to assess their workplaces and to help them take collective action to create an anti-racist workplace culture and environment.
The Pharmacists' Defence Association has called on the Scottish government to end unnecessary pharmacy closures and introduce emergency regulations to force
companies that operate Scotland's pharmacies to open on the days and hours they have agreed.
It is concerned that decisions made by some health boards in Scotland have now allowed pharmacy owners to close their pharmacies on Saturdays.
The PDA is worried that a pharmacy closure could have negative impact on patients and other parts of the NHS, including neighbouring pharmacies, addiction and mental
health services, and minor injury and A&E units.
The association claims that there are record numbers of registered pharmacists who are available to work and therefore a decision to close a pharmacy over staff
shortages is misleading.
"The business owners may claim there is a shortage of pharmacists, but when they actively cancel agreed hours of work it does not suggest there is a shortfall of
workers," said the PDA, adding: "These business decisions often include closing their pharmacies at very short notice, even when pharmacists are available and willing
to work."
The Swiss competition commission (COMCO) has opened an investigation of Novartis over possible unlawful use of a patent to reduce competitive pressure, the
Swiss drugmaker confirmed on Thursday, September 15.
COMCO conducted an early morning raid on the company on Sept. 13, it said in a statement that did not name Novartis, which subsequently said in its own statement
that it was the group under investigation.
"The company allegedly attempted to protect its drug for the treatment of skin diseases against competing products by using one of its patents to initiate litigation
proceedings," COMCO said in a statement.
Novartis said COMCO had started an investigation in collaboration with the European Commission into the assertion of a patent in the broader field of dermatology
treatments.
"In connection with this investigation, COMCO representatives visited the company headquarters in Basel," it said.
It was my great privilege be appointed by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to serve as her representative in South Glamorgan as Deputy Lord Lieutenant and also
as Honorary Captain in the Royal Navy.
During that time I was incredibly lucky to have met her on a number of occasions, including the state opening of Parliament, the Buckingham Palace Summer Garden
Party, the Commonwealth reception and at various culture celebrations.
I remember clearly the first time I met her at Buckingham Palace in 2010.
Her Majesty looked at my name badge and saw that I had an OBE, and said: "Oh, did I do that one?" I replied: "No Ma'am that was bestowed by the Prince of Wales."
She looked at me kindly, smiled and said: "That's a shame, I missed out on that one."
I replied, slightly cheekily: "It was a shame for me too."
To support the mental health and wellbeing of pharmacists, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) is running its fourth annual Workforce Wellbeing survey, in
partnership with Pharmacist Support.
This year it's focussed on exploring some of the obstacles that prevent workforce wellbeing measures being implemented in practice.
It's vital that workplace supports good mental health and wellbeing and provides the right environment to help prevent the negative effects of working under intense
pressure.
RPS urges: "Please complete the survey as soon as you can. It's anonymous, open to pharmacists in all settings including students and you don't need to be a member
of RPS to take part."
"We'll take the results of the survey to governments across Great Britain, the NHS, and wider stakeholders to advocate for improvements to support the mental health
and wellbeing of pharmacists."
Being aware of and understanding our mental health is extremely important. Mental health is not simply a medical condition, it essentially encompasses our
psychological and emotional well-being.
Mental health awareness has increased in recent years, however, since the COVID-19 pandemic, awareness of our mental stability and how we process our feelings
has become all too apparent. It is important that we all learn to be open with our feelings and also be able to support others who may be struggling with their
own mental health.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) conceptualises mental health as a "state of well-being in which the individual realises his or her own abilities, can cope
with the normal stresses of work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community."
The UK government's proposal to introduce a tobacco and vapes bill received support from the public to create the first 'smokefree generation'.
The historic law to ban the sale of tobacco products to children aged 14 and younger from legally being sold cigarettes in England.
King Charles delivered his first speech as monarch at the state opening of Parliament on Tuesday, 7 November.
The monarch announced the introduction of the "tobacco and vapes bill" in his speech, and it read: "My Government will introduce legislation to create a
smoke-free generation by restricting the sale of tobacco so that children currently aged 14 or younger can never be sold cigarettes, and restricting the
sale and marketing of e-cigarettes to children."
Pharma giant, Pfizer has announced plans to cut 500 jobs at its Sandwich site in Kent, England as part of its ongoing $3.5 billion cost-cutting drive.
The company is also planning to shut its Pharmaceutical Sciences Small Molecule (PSSM) capabilities at the site, a spokesperson of the company told FiercePharma.
However, the Sandwich site will remain open and other functions will continue with "a different size," the spokesperson added.
Currently, around 940 people are employed at the site, which is the location where Pfizer scientists first discovered Viagra.
"We are proud of our heritage of breakthrough science in the UK and we will retain a scientific presence in the U.K. including at our Discovery Park location
in Sandwich," Pfizer's spokesperson confirmed in an email to FiercePharma.
The Health and Social Care Select Committee (HSCC) on Tuesday held the first session in their pharmacy inquiry, with a panel of experts discussing the key
issues facing community pharmacies in the country.
Representatives from community pharmacy associations highlighted some of their biggest challenges and their vision for the future, as well as actions that
government and NHS England can take to address those challenges for a better future for the sector.
Opening the session, the Committee's vice-chair, Rachel Maskell MP, asked the representatives if they felt the government was ambitious enough in what it
believes community pharmacy can do to address NHS pressures, or are pharmacists being held back by issues around workforce funding, contracting, and technological
changes.
Malcolm Harrison, Chief Executive, Company Chemists' Association (CCA), expressed that the government is not ambitious enough, saying "there's always opportunity
to be more ambitious".
People are advised to be prepared and order their repeat prescriptions in time so that they don't run out of their routine medicines over the Christmas and
New Year break when services are likely to be busier than normal.
As GP practices will be closed over the bank holidays and only some pharmacies will remain open, local NHS leaders have urged patients to plan ahead to avoid making
last-minute requests for collecting repeat prescriptions, which can add avoidable pressure for doctors, pharmacies, and other NHS services.
Sati Ubhi, Chief Pharmacist at NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough, have cautioned patients that running out of their usual medication can have serious consequences.
"By ordering medicines as soon as possible, it allows enough time for it to be processed and dispensed and helps avoid a last-minute rush," she told Fenland Citizen.
Raymond Kelly, an award-winning pharmacist from Glasgow, has restored the historic Liquorstane Building in Falkland and turned it into a modern-day pharmacy
serving rural communities, using a £750,000 refinance loan from Unity Trust Bank.
The once derelict 19th century building in Fife now has Raymond's Lomond Pharmacy on the ground floor while the top floor has been revamped as holiday let apartments.
Raymond, who was named Scottish Pharmacist of the Year as a manager at Rowlands Group before opening his own pharmacies in Falkland, Kinglassie and Charlston, also
used part of the funding to expand healthcare provision for a local aging population.
He runs the pharmacy alongside business partner Audrey McAnaw, three dispensers and two drivers, delivering much-needed frontline services for surrounding villages
as well as tourists coming to the picturesque area, where 'Outlander' movie was filmed.
NHS England and NHS Improvement published on May 26 the findings of the Fuller 'stocktake' - setting out how primary care can work with partners across health
and care to best meet the needs of their local communities.
Dr Claire Fuller's report lays emphasis on the essential role of primary care and the potential of integrated neighbourhood teams in reducing the burden of ill health and tackling health inequities.
It commends community pharmacy for keeping "its doors open to the public throughout" the pandemic whilst being "among the most recognisable of a multitude of dedicated staff delivering care around the clock in every neighbourhood in the country". The report highlights "recruitment and retention challenges across the wider primary care workforce" including in community pharmacy.
Stressing the importance of community pharmacy teams in urgent care and prevention, including early diagnosis of cancers, the report points out that pharmacists could play "a more active role in signposting eligible people to screening and supporting early diagnosis, building on a number of successful pilots such as those from the Accelerate, Coordinate, Evaluate (ACE) programme".
Mental health has become a major concern worldwide and across all sectors,including pharmacy and pharmaceutical industry. The penetration of the issue exacerbated during the Covid-19 pandemic, due to mental fatigue, anxiety and most importantly the social distancing.
Therefore, building an environment of trust and comfort is utmost essential to understand and tackle mental health challenges, said panelists in a discussion on Mental Health And Wellbeing In The Workplace, held during the Pharmacy Business Diversity Conference on Thursday (December 9).Talking in context of workplace, Monika Misra, head of Employee Health and Wellbeing, Europe and MEA, said: "We really need to create an environment of trust where we a have the manager, really trying to understand the unique challenges and needs of the individual, but be also ensuring that the individual feels comfortable to open up and have that conversation with their manager."
Covid-19 has accelerated a culture change for community pharmacists. Throughout the pandemic, they have been the first line of advice, treatment and referral for common illnesses, and they have Successfully prevented countless unnecessary visits to A&E.
The commitment of the profession to patient care has been widely recognised by both the government and the public. Despite immense pressure, pharmacy teams have risen to the challenges posed by a Global pandemic.
"The extent to which pharmacists went over and above the call of duty, acting outside of their licences from a humanity point of view was extraordinary," said Tess Player, vice president and global head of expert and health influencers at GSK Consumer Healthcare, calling them the "unspoken heroes" of Covid-19.
Pharmacy teams from around the world have shared with her their experiences. Pharmacists in China remained open round the clock and sourced face coverings for
their community and metered out the short supply for their patients.
Community pharmacy contractors eligible under the revised Pharmacy Access Scheme (PhAS) will receive their first of the new monthly payments with the January reconciliation payment due on April 1, 2022.
Details of the revised version of the PhAS that commenced from January 1, was published in August 2021, with contractors receiving letters from the NHS Business
Services Authority (NHSBSA) indicating their eligibility in the Autumn, PSNC said in an update.
Payments under the scheme are dependent on registration on NHSBSA's Manage Your Service (MYS) portal to provide the Community Pharmacist Consultation Service(CPCS).
Meanwhile, the review application window is now open for contractors, which would enable the NHS England and NHS Improvement (NHSE&I) to correct inaccuracies related to a pharmacy's distance criteria/calculation.
Amid the ongoing furore over shortages of Lateral Flow Device (LFD) test kits that led pharmacy staff to bear customers' wrath, the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) and Company Chemists Association (CCA) have jointly appealed the public to be "patient and courteous to pharmacy teams".
In an open letter, the two organisations have urged patients and customers to be patient, courteous and safe while visiting their local pharmacies.
Highlighting the efforts put in by healthcare workers to keep everyone safe through this tough winter, the two organisations said the pressure of Covid-19 and shortage of LFD kits have sometimes led to verbal abuse of pharmacy staff.
Mark Lyonette, NPA chief executive said: "The vast majority of pharmacy customers and patients are polite and understanding. The supply situation with Lateral Flow Tests is stretching people's patience, but that's no excuse for abusive behaviour and people need to understand the constraints on pharmacy teams at this time."
Alongside their routine job of providing medicines, health advice and a range of NHS services, pharmacies have put in extra effort to protect people during the pandemic.
