The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 269 No 7212 p240
24 August 2002

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Moss pharmacy (www.mosspharmacy.co.uk)

Moss unveils Dundee pharmacy with focus on delivering health promotion

A newly refurbished Dundee pharmacy that will focus on delivering the health promotion message to local people was launched by Scottish deputy health minister Frank McAveety, last week.

Speaking at the launch of Moss pharmacy's branch at Albert Street, Dundee, Mr McAveety said its new approach demonstrated "the potential health benefits of transforming community pharmacy premises into walk-in healthy living centres, where patients can access a whole range of health services and health promotion advice under one roof".

The refurbishment was funded by £90,500 from the Scottish Executive primary care modernisation fund, £10,300 from Dundee Local Health Care Co-operative primary care development fund and £50,000 from Moss.

The health promotion area in the pharmacy includes touchscreen computer technology that patients can use to access health information, a video lending library and conventional patient information leaflets. In addition, a dedicated health promotion manager will be on hand to answer any queries and to give advice.

Frank Owen, chairman of the Scottish Pharmaceutical General Council, welcomed the new approach. He said: "This is an excellent facility. It is one of a number of pioneering innovative model pharmacies being developed across Scotland in partnership with the Scottish Executive Health Department. These model pharmacies will provide test bed facilities for the future development of new NHS pharmacy services in Scotland."

In addition to the new health promotion activities, the refurbished Albert Street pharmacy, operational since June, has diagnostic tools such as glucose and blood pressure monitors, a meeting room that can be used by community groups and other health care professionals and a fully equipped treatment room that practitioners, such as aromatherapists and homoeopaths, can hire. There is also a private consultation area and a shielded consultation booth allowing patients privacy to discuss more sensitive issues with the pharmacist.

Nanette Kerr, head of the superintendent pharmacist's office, Moss, said the company is keen to meet the health care needs of the local population. "This is why we have launched a host of new services at this branch, such as the smoking cessation clinic and the addict services. We will also be providing future services, such as health checks and a body mass index initiative plus training for carers."

The pharmacy will run monthly health promotion campaigns focusing on topics such as sexual health and older people, and evaluation of its services via patient surveys will occur in the autumn.