Department of Health Permanent Secretary, Richard Pengelly recently visited the Medicines Optimisation Innovation Centre (MOIC) in Antrim Area Hospital. The Centre was established four years ago and the event provided an update on the projects and achievements since it was established.
The Medicines Optimisation Innovation Centre (MOIC) is a regional centre in Northern Ireland dedicated to delivering better medicines use for the people of Northern Ireland. We are uniquely positioned to work alongside the health sector and the private sector to deliver better patient outcomes around medicines optimisation.
The MOIC team focuses on delivering research, innovation and business acumen to achieve medicines optimisation and to assist in the delivery of the Medicines Optimisation Quality Framework set out by the Department of Health. With approximately 41.5 million prescriptions issued in primary care every year and 1 in 5 adults dispensed 5 or more medicines, it is vital that we are getting the best usage out of our medicines.
MOIC showcased collaborative work across Health and Social Care, the voluntary sector and the private sector, all of which are delivering significant results in improving patient care through medicines optimisation such as the Mid and East Antrim Agewell Partnership.
The event also provided an opportunity to showcase a number of innovative projects being carried out with commercial partners, including the bed tracking system with Healthcare Analytics. This secure analytic tagging system has been rolled out throughout Antrim Area Hospital and is transforming how the Trust can manage beds and equipment throughout the hospital. MOIC are also working with Accelerate on testing a new rapid diagnostic test for sepsis in a number of hospitals in Northern Ireland and also with Arjo UK to test a novel scanning device for the prevention of pressure ulcers.
Department of Health Permanent Secretary, Richard Pengelly said:
“I am very impressed by what I have seen, the Medicines Optimisation Innovation Centre has a strong patient focus and is committed to driving innovation in medicines use, working towards improved patient outcomes through research, innovations, quality improvement and knowledge sharing.
“Delivering Together identified increasing quality improvement as an important enabler of reform. Optimising the benefits of medicines is essential to support the wider transformation of our Health Service and this Centre has an important role to play in that context, by working collaboratively with health and social care professionals and using integrated technology solutions for the benefit of our patients.
“I wish you continued success of the Centre in supporting the important work in medicines optimisation across Northern Ireland. You have been carrying out excellent and dynamic work, and this Centre has developed a UK, European and world-wide reputation.”
Cathy Harrison, Acting Chief Pharmaceutical Officer said:
“I am delighted to see how the Medicines Optimisation Innovation Centre has developed over the last four years and how it is supporting the transformation of services for patients across health and social care in Northern Ireland. I am also impressed to see the diversity of projects on display, the evidence of the many successful partnerships and collaborations with industry, academia and health, and how the work of the Centre has been recognised in the UK and Europe.
Professor Mike Scott, Director of MOIC
“We welcomed the opportunity to showcase MOIC’s work to Permanent Secretary, Richard Pengelly, four years on from our establishment. MOIC are committed to driving improvement in health through appropriate medicines use. We engage at an international level in order to bring learning and innovation back into healthcare in Northern Ireland and are focused on delivering the Department of Health’s Medicines Optimisation Quality Framework”