Health Minister hails benefits of partnership approach to address health inequalities
Date published:
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has visited The Link in Newtownards to see first-hand the benefits of a project delivering local health programmes that address health inequalities.
The Link Family & Community Centre has established a partnership project with McKay’s Pharmacy through the Building Community-Pharmacy Partnership (BCCP) programme, which is commissioned by the Department and managed by the Community Development and Health Network (CDHN). The BCPP has now funded over 1,000 partnerships over more than 20 years across Northern Ireland to identify local health needs and tackle health inequalities using a community development approach.
The Minister said: “Partnership projects between community organisations and local community pharmacies have an important role in helping to improve health and wellbeing outcomes for our communities, particularly those in vulnerable or disadvantaged groups. Tackling health inequalities is one of my key areas of focus and initiatives such as this are helping to address locally defined needs linked to social determinants of health.”
“Supporting people to stay healthy involves addressing the circumstances in which people live and work. The BCPP initiative integrates community pharmacies more closely with the communities they serve and addresses wider issues such as social isolation and the root causes of poor health. Working collaboratively in community-based projects to identify and address local health needs ensures support can be tailored to the needs of local people on issues affecting their health and wellbeing, and that it can be accessed where they need and when they need it, and that is as close to their own homes as possible.
“It is clear to see the benefits of the strong relationship that has been developed between McKay’s Pharmacy and The Link supported by the CDHN project team. The programme being provided here is an excellent example of how this approach can deliver better outcomes for participants.”
During his visit to The Link, the Minister met with participants who have benefitted from the programme and heard from the how the project is making a difference.
Kathy Martin, Community Development and Health Network, said: "BCPP offers a unique opportunity for Community Pharmacy and local community groups to develop lasting relationships which improve the lives and health of local people. Thank you to the group who shared their personal stories and lived experience; it is inspiring to hear the impact that the team are having in this community and see how the BCPP programme has changed their lives.”
Notes to editors:
- BCPP is led by CDHN and commissioned by DoH, with strategic direction provided by a multi-agency Steering Group. It supports communities and community pharmacists to work in partnership to address locally defined needs so that people make connections, listen to and understand each other better and work together to address the social determinants of health and health inequalities.
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