Kanturk pharmacy picks up award for health literacy
PHARMACY RECOGNISED IN ROLE LOCAL BUSINESS PLAYS IN HELPING PATIENTS BETTER UNDERSTAND HEALTH ISSUES
A DUHALLOW pharmacy has been recognised as a leader in health literacy in Ireland. Mullins Pharmacy in Kanturk received a crystal clear mark from healthcare company MSD Ireland and the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA).
This programme has been running since 2015 and recognises the critical role pharmacies play in helping patients understand their health issues. So far, 59 pharmacies have been recognised through the initiative for their high standards in patient education.
Sarah Magner of Mullins Pharmacy and her team were delighted to receive the award.
To be awarded the Crystal Clear Mark, Mullins Pharmacy had to complete an audit across a number of areas to show how their pharmacy was ‘ health literacy friendly’ and communicating clearly with customers in accessible ways. Following assessment from NALA, Mullins Pharmacy was found to qualify for this quality mark.
Congratulating Mullins Pharmacy on their achievement, Nicola Fullam, Patient Partnership Manager, MSD Ireland, said Mullins Pharmacy has demonstrated a continuous commitment to operating in a health literacy friendly way and this will have a long-term impact on the health of its customers.
“We are proud to award them with the Crystal Clear Mark to recognise their achievement and their dedication to the public’s needs through their use of language, training of staff, and more,” Ms Fullam added.
According to research conducted by NALA, two in five (39 per cent) of Irish people want doctors, nurses and pharmacists to use more understandable language and less medical jargon. They also would like healthcare professionals to speak less formally (22 per cent raise this issue) and take more time to explain things (18 per cent).
Interestingly, ‘embarrassment’ was ranked as the main reason for not seeking more information from a healthcare professional (24 per cent agree).
“When pharmacies hold themselves to the highest standards of health literacy, it has a positive impact on the population as a whole, so I would like to extend heartfelt congratulations to Sarah Magner and her team for their significant contribution to this cause,” NALA Director Inez Bailey said.