The Village Pharmacy says 'Our Community - Our Health'

05/08/2010

As a special event in support of this year's Earhart Festival in the North West, MediCare's Village Pharmacy are organising a Health Fayre on Monday the 9th of August; "Our Community-Our Health". MediCare aims to promote the health and well being of our whole community by delivering a wide range of accessible health services in the mall of Northside Shopping Centre, L'Derry.

MediCare Pharmacy Group, as co-sponsors of the festival over recent years, have developed the “Our Community-Our Health” day as a way of integrating Pharmacy’s role as a core health service provider, with the role played by voluntary and community groups when dealing with health issues within the local community.

Two MediCare pharmacists will be available to carry out diagnostic testing and provide a range of health services free of charge throughout the day including:
• Minor Ailments Service
• Smoking Cessation Programme
• Blood pressure testing
• Cholesterol measurement
• Blood glucose measurement

MediCare Pharmacy Group has also invited voluntary groups both local to the Greater Shantallow area and City wide to attend and exhibit the services they provide. Guest groups on the day will include:
• Aware Defeat Depression
• HURT
• Pink ladies
• Leafair community association - Men's Health
• Galliagh Women's Group
• Good Morning Northwest
• Unlocking the Potential
• Greater Shantallow Area Partnership
• Kickstart
• Learner Access & Engagement

Managing Director of MediCare Pharmacy Group, Michael Guerin commented, “A survey commissioned by the DHSSPS into the health and well-being of the public found that over 120,000 people visit community pharmacies on a daily basis and report high levels of satisfaction with the services provided. More than 80% of people visit the same pharmacy consistently. Therefore, community pharmacy can be regarded as the ‘open door’ of the Health Service. As caring for the health of the whole community is central to the ethos of MediCare Pharmacy Group, we are very proud to organise this event in support of the Earhart Festival. We welcome this opportunity to enhance the relationships we have developed with the community locally.”

The event will run from 9.30am to 5.30pm and will include the chance to win a bicycle in a free raffle by MediCare Village Pharmacy that will be held in store on the day to encourage a healthier and more active lifestyle!