by Edel O'Sullivan, | Oct 25, 2019 | News Release, Press
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”
by Edel O'Sullivan, | Sep 11, 2019 | News Release, Press
MOIC are working alongside the Northern Health and Social Care Trust participating in the Antibiotic Review Kit (ARK) project. ARK is a five-year applied research programme, funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) which aims to improve antibiotic prescription ‘review and revise’ and stop antibiotics in patients who don’t need them.
This project is ongoing within the Trust and initial findings are indicating improvements in the study site. Roll out to other sites is currently being planned.
by Edel O'Sullivan, | Aug 21, 2019 | News Release, Press
Sara Gardner, Ulster University PHD Student and part of the Medical Research Foundations UK-wide PhD training programme, has successfully won best poster at Medical Research Foundation annual conference.
The Thresholds project aims to demonstrate that controlling the usage of key antibiotics under certain levels (or thresholds) can help to prevent the spread of resistant bacteria such as MRSA. Sara is working closely with MOIC and the Northern Health and Social Care Trust to complete this study.
Antimicrobial resistance has risen alarmingly over the last four decades and claims at least 50,000 lives across the European Union and United States each year. As a result Antimicrobial Stewardship Programmes have been established in an attempt to minimise the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance. It has been hypothesised that there is a ‘threshold’ level of drug, above which, the persistent selection of the antibiotic in the environment will lead to the development and spread of antimicrobial resistance.
Therefore the concept of identifying thresholds in antibiotic consumption is the basis of this research.
So why is this important?
The study aims to restrict the use of identified antibiotics to a level below the threshold, in theory creating a safe level for use. This may mean that we can use previously restricted antibiotics at safe levels, therefore bringing restricted antibiotics back into practice.
by Edel O'Sullivan, | Aug 6, 2019 | News Release, Press
The annual joint conference of the UKCPA and Pharmacy Management “Pharmacy Together” will this year take place on Friday 8 November 2019 at the Novotel London West Hotel in Hammersmith, West London, with Professor Mike Scott hosting a breakout session.
The programme has been coordinated by both organisations and is free to all NHS Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians.
This year sees a range of Satellite sessions which have been created to be topical and of practical interest to pharmacy professionals in both primary and secondary care.
As both the UKCPA and Pharmacy Management are Accredited Providers of Education for the Faculty of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society delegates can expect a quality of conference to meet those standards. Chairman of Pharmacy Management, Ted Butler, stated:-
“Last year was such a success for our first joint effort that we had a real challenge to develop further
but we believe we have done so. The Conference in November is now the culmination of our year in partnership with the UKCPA after we have delivered four other national meetings. We are expecting one of the biggest pharmacy events of the year”
To view the agenda go to click here.
by Edel O'Sullivan, | Jul 16, 2019 | News Release, Press
The joint JoMO-UKCPA Conference on CV Medicines Optimisation is in Central London again on Wednesday 2 October 2019. With an agenda that has been created by the UKCPA Specialist Cardiac Group this meeting will be at the leading edge of pharmacy involvement with Cardiovascular disease and related conditions.
The event is taking place at a specialist meeting orientated venue to ensure that the delivery and educational experience for delegates is of the highest order.
Fo more information click here.
Places for NHS Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians are without charge and can be accessed by clicking on ths link.
If you have any queries or require further information, please contact Katie Fraser (Senior Executive Assistant to Chairman, Pharmacy Management) at katie.fraser@pharman.co.uk
by Edel O'Sullivan, | Jul 5, 2019 | News Release, Press, Uncategorized
Pharmacy Management National Forum for Scotland moves to Glasgow to accommodate growing numbers. Thursday 29 August 2019, sees the Pharmacy Management National Forum for Scotland in Glasgow for the first time.
Chairman of Pharmacy Management, Ted Butler, stated “We have been going to Stirling for 15 years with the Forum and had great experiences on the university campus. The numbers of delegates have been steadily growing so we felt we needed the extra flexibility of a larger venue. Once again, we are delighted that Professor Rose Marie Parr has agreed to attend and speak. Returning to Scotland so soon after the great Celtic Conference is a bonus and the agenda will offer much to both pharmacists and pharmacy technicians across Scotland.”
To see the Agenda click here.
The conference is available free of charge for all pharmacists and pharmacy technicians working in NHS Scotland. If you have any queries or require further information, please contact Katie Fraser (Senior Executive
Assistant to Chairman, Pharmacy Management) at katie.fraser@pharman.co.uk.
View more information.
