MOIC Newsletter January 2025
Happy New Year! As we step into 2025, we reflect on a bustling 2024 at MOIC. Over the past few months
we have been actively involved in various conferences and events across Europe strengthening collaborations and forging new connections. We are also thrilled to announce that we have been awarded PEACEPLUS funding, opening up new opportunities in the field of medicines.
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Medicines Optimisation and Innovation Centre recognised for commitment to employee health and wellbeing
MOIC has achieved Level 3 in a recent audit of its workplace health and wellbeing activities called the Take 5 Accreditation. The Take 5 Accreditation is based on the 5 Steps to Wellbeing with three levels of accreditation available.
In 2024, 12 workplaces in the NHSCT area were supported to achieve the Take 5 accreditation which was delivered as part of a partnership between Business in the Community and Northern Health & Social Care Trust. MOIC is the first NHSCT team to be accredited and was one of the 12 workplaces recognised at a special Take 5 Accreditation Celebration event held at The Rabbit Hotel in Templepatrick.
Shane Quinnell, Wellbeing Programme Manager at Business in the Community commented: “By completing the Take 5 Accreditation, these organisations are publicly demonstrating their commitment to the wellbeing of their employees in a responsible and transparent manner. The process and results allow organisations to examine and reflect on their wellbeing performance, benchmark themselves against others and drive improvements for the benefit of their people and to strengthen their business.
Selena Ramsey, Health and Wellbeing Manager at Northern Health & Social Care Trust added: “The Take 5 Accreditation supports workplaces to strategically implement five steps to wellbeing in their health and wellbeing strategy for their employees. It is really encouraging to see so many organisations being recognised for their commitment to employee health and wellbeing.”
To attain the Level 3 accreditation, MOIC adopted a comprehensive strategy, centred on the Take 5 Steps to wellbeing Model: Give, Be Active, Connect, Keep Learning and Take Notice. MOIC began by auditing their current wellbeing activities and aligning them with the Take 5 model. A detailed Action Plan was then developed to further embed Take 5 initiatives, with clear evaluation and impact measures encompassing all 5 steps. The plan included a diverse range of activities such as a monthly team treat day, healthier lifestyle taster sessions, team walks, retro sports day, skills development opportunities, charitable donations and volunteer initiatives, mindfulness and wellbeing resources and work-life balance encouragement.
MOIC has two health, wellbeing and inclusion champions to drive the initiative and ensure its success. These champions are responsible for monitoring progress, evaluating outcomes and embedding the Take 5 model into the organisational culture.
Elizabeth Hauxwell, Health, Wellbeing and Inclusion Champion, MOIC commented “We are delighted to have achieved Level 3 in the Take 5 Accreditation. This recognition reflects our ongoing commitment to prioritising the health and wellbeing of our employees. By implementing the 5 Steps to Wellbeing, we have created a positive and supportive workplace culture that benefits both our staff and our organisation.”
Dr Joanne Brown Honoured with Inaugural Barnett Award
We’re thrilled to share the news that our esteemed colleague, Dr Joanne Brown, has been awarded the inaugural Barnett Award at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society Annual Conference. This prestigious honour recognises her exceptional commitment to mentoring and professional development within the pharmacy profession.
As the Senior Research and Innovation Programme Manager at the Medicines Optimisation Innovation Centre, Joanne’s dedication to fostering growth in pharmacy is unparalleled. Her previous role as Clinical Education Lead at the Northern Health and Social Care Trust saw her support pharmacy professionals at all career stages.
Joanne’s influence extends beyond her formal duties. She has mentored over 50 individuals, offering personalised guidance and creating a supportive environment for professional growth. Her contributions to improving learning systems across Northern Ireland have significantly impacted pharmacy education.
Dr Joanne Brown, said “I am honoured and humbled to receive the Barnett Award. Professor Barnett, Nina, was inspirational. She has given us a tremendous legacy and demonstrated, by her practice, the type of pharmacy professionals we should aspire to be.”
Professor Cathy Harrison, Chief Pharmaceutical Officer, Department of Health, said: “I am delighted to see Dr Joanne Brown receive this well-deserved award. Her dedication and commitment to mentoring and developing pharmacy professionals is truly inspiring. Joanne’s work has had a significant impact on the pharmacy profession in Northern Ireland and beyond. She is a role model for us all.”
The Barnett Award, established by the RPS in memory of esteemed RPS Fellow Nina Barnett, honours individuals who have dedicated their careers to supporting, mentoring, and advancing others within the pharmacy profession. This well-deserved recognition highlights Joanne’s significant contribution to the pharmacy profession. We extend our warmest congratulations to her on this outstanding achievement.
Get in Shapes!
Nicola Goodfellow presented at SHAPES pre-conference programme of the 17th International Conference of the Association for the Advancement of Assistive Technology in Europe (AAATE) in Paris.
This event provided an opportunity for all pilot leaders to present on the piloting of SHAPES (Smart and Healthy Aging Through People Engaging in Supportive Systems) Digital Solutions in the SHAPES Innovation Action. Nicola Goodfellow, a MOIC programme manager, presented on Pilot 3, Medicine control and optimisation.
This pilot trailed the use of 9 SHAPES Digital Solutions with 73 older adults for 12 weeks in 4 countries across Europe, including participants from the NHSCT. The positive impacts from the pilot seen at NHSCT were: participants felt reassured that they were able to self-monitor their condition; they had a high level of trust for collecting health data and willingness to share it with healthcare teams; and most participants expressed an interest in continuing to use the Digital Solutions if they were available after the pilot.