Recorded webinars

Tutors

• Mr Greg Miller
  Pharmacy adviser, SPPG
• Ms Claire Young
  Lead General Practice Pharmacist, Mid Ulster GP Federation

Aim

To provide an update of the current evidence base relating to the therapeutic management of asthma in primary care.

Learning outcomes

Having attended this webinar, you will be able to:

• Outline the new joint BTS/NICE/SIGN guideline, covering diagnosis, monitoring, and chronic asthma management
• Explore the implementation in practice of MART (Maintenance and Reliever Therapy) and AIR (Anti-Inflammatory Reliever) combination regimens
• Acknowledge diagnostic advancements, including insights from local FeNO pilot studies
• Discuss low carbon inhaler prescribing and greener disposal via community pharmacy
• Identify potential areas for improvement in your current practice.

Tutors

• Ms Elena Brewer
  Training Officer, ASCERT

Aim

To enable the pharmacy team to identify and support individuals who drink in excess of the recommended guidelines.

Learning outcomes

Having completed this webinar, you will be able to:

• Highlight the health risks and social consequences of drinking alcohol
• Understand the alcohol unit system and apply it to individual consumption
• Use and interpret an appropriate alcohol screening tool
• Recognise the risks of mixing alcohol with prescription or over-the-counter medication
• Communicate brief advice effectively and confidently to patients about their alcohol consumption
• Signpost individuals to local advisory and support services.

Tutors

• Ms Elena Brewer
  Training Officer, ASCERT

Aim

To enable the pharmacy team to identify and support individuals who drink in excess of the recommended guidelines.

Learning outcomes

Having completed this webinar, you will be able to:

• Highlight the health risks and social consequences of drinking alcohol
• Understand the alcohol unit system and apply it to individual consumption
• Use and interpret an appropriate alcohol screening tool
• Recognise the risks of mixing alcohol with prescription or over-the-counter medication
• Communicate brief advice effectively and confidently to patients about their alcohol consumption
• Signpost individuals to local advisory and support services.

Tutors

• Ms Emer Moore
  Care Home Pharmacist, SEHSCT
• Ms Paula Burns
  Falls Prevention Pharmacist, BHSCT

Aim

To equip pharmacists with the knowledge and skills to appropriately deprescribe medications for people at risk of falls.

Learning outcomes

Having attended this webinar, you will be able to:

• Acknowledge the risk factors for falls, recognise medicines that can contribute to the risk of falls and their impact on patient safety and identify people at risk of falls
• Outline the resources and tools available to support deprescribing decisions
• Adopt an evidence-based approach to prioritising deprescribing decisions in people at risk of falls
• Deprescribe, reduce or substitute inappropriate medicines through a structured medication review for patients, involving the patient and their family members/carers.

Aim

To promote the safe, effective and appropriate prescribing of oral nutritional supplements (ONS) in primary care.

Learning outcomes

Having attended this webinar you will be able to:

• Appreciate the range of underlying causes of malnutrition
• Provide advice to support the food first approach
• Identify when it is appropriate to use oral nutritional supplements in line with the seven step approach and the Northern Ireland Formulary
• Review the ongoing appropriateness of oral nutritional supplements and discontinue when no longer indicated
• Refer to guidance to support prescribing decisions on the use of oral nutritional supplements in palliative care and substance misuse

Aim

To provide additional information to HCP who are interested in being a DPP for a community pharmacist.

Learning outcomes

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Tutors

• Mr Michael Ogilby
  Lead General Practice Pharmacist, East Belfast Federation of Family Practices
• Mrs Clare Murray
  Lecturer (Education), School of Pharmacy

Aim

To provide an overview of the management of atrial fibrillation (AF).

Learning outcomes

Having attended this webinar, you will be able to:

• Recognise the signs, symptoms and diagnostic criteria for AF, including the role of digital diagnostics
• Outline the evidence-based strategies for managing permanent, persistent and paroxysmal AF
• Outline the medications used in rate and rhythm control and in antithrombotic therapy, including their main contraindications, adverse effects and monitoring requirements
• Empower people to make lifestyle changes and reduce modifiable risk factors to help prevent further complications associated with AF.

Tutors

• Ms Nicola Burchmore
  Community Infant Feeding Lead, WHSCT
• Ms Claire Guy
  Specialist Paediatric Dietitian, WHSCT
• Ms Emma McCammon
  Pharmacy Adviser, SPPG
• Ms Maria Somers
  Health Visitor, WHSCT
• Ms Emma Willox
  Health Visitor, WHSCT

Aim

To provide an update on the best practice for the management of Cows Milk Allergy (CMA).

Learning outcomes

Having completed this webinar, you will be able to:

• Recognise normal newborn behaviour and identify the signs and symptoms of CMA
• Recommend appropriate treatment options based on current evidence based guidance
• Understand the importance of ongoing review with a view to deprescribing where appropriate
• Provide comprehensive advice, support and reassurance to parents and carers regarding the management of children with CMA
• Refer appropriately and seek advice from dietetics when managing children with CMA.

Tutors

• Mrs Clare Murray
  Lecturer (Education), School of Pharmacy
• Mr Michael Ogilby
  Lead General Practice Pharmacist, East Belfast Federation of Family Practices

Aim

To provide an overview of the management of hypertension.

Learning outcomes

Having attended this webinar, you will be able to:

• Recognise the signs, symptoms and diagnostic criteria for hypertension, including the role of digital diagnostics
• Apply evidence-based management strategies to support the initiation and optimisation of therapy for people with hypertension
• Identify and recommend appropriate antihypertensive medications, considering contraindications, adverse effects, and monitoring requirements
• Support patients to self-monitor and optimise the management of their hypertension, including incorporating lifestyle interventions to reduce cardiovascular risk.

Tutors

• Ms Danielle McGranaghan
  Advanced Nurse Practitoner

Aim

To provide an overview of the management of stroke and transient ischaemic attack (TIA)

Learning outcomes

Having attended this webinar, you will be able to:

• Promptly recognise the key signs and symptoms of stroke and TIA
• Identify the modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors associated with stoke and TIA
• Describe the steps in the initial management of stroke and TIA
• Conduct follow-up care for individuals with stroke or TIA, ensuring initiation, continuation and regular review of secondary prevention strategies
• Recognise and manage the consequences and complications of stroke effectively.

Tutors

• Ms Lisa Gracey (Rafferty)
  Coach | Facilitator | Mindfulness Teacher

Aim

To develop the competence and confidence of mentors in dealing with mentees presenting with mental health and/or mental wellbeing issues.

Learning outcomes

Having completed this webinar, you will be able to:

• Use effective communication skills to acquire an understanding of the mentee’s mental health and mental wellbeing status
• Identify a range of appropriate questions to ask the mentee
• Undertake an open and supportive conversation with a mentee reporting to have mental health and/or mental wellbeing issues
• Outline a range of strategies, including self-supporting strategies to support positive mental health and wellbeing
• Identify organisations to which mentees can be signposted for further advice and support.

Tutors

• Ms Lisa Gracey (Rafferty)
  Coach | Facilitator | Mindfulness Teacher

Aim

To empower mentors with increased confidence, knowledge and skills to support the effective workplace performance of mentees.

Learning outcomes

Having completed this webinar you will be able to:

• Recognise the skills required of an effective workplace mentor
• Understand how to encourage and motivate your mentee within the workplace setting
• Learn how to collaboratively identify individual learning and development needs
• Apply the skills to support different levels of performance in the workplace.

Tutors

• Dr Louise Taylor
  Neurodivergent Therapist and Consultant

Aim

To equip mentors with the knowledge and skills to optimise the contribution of trainees with neurodiverse conditions to the pharmacy workplace

Learning outcomes

Having completed this webinar you will be able to:

• Recognise and understand the different neurodivergent conditions that may be seen within the workplace including autism, ADHD, dyslexia and dyspraxia.
• Acknowledge the strengths that mentees with a neurodiverse condition bring to the workplace setting.
• Appreciate the challenges that mentees with a neurodiverse condition may experience in the workplace.
• Identify the best practices to ensure inclusivity in the workplace, including communication strategies and reasonable accommodations.
• Support mentees with neurodiverse conditions to perform optimally within your workplace.

Tutors

• Ms Lisa Gracey (Rafferty)
  Coach | Facilitator | Mindfulness Teacher

Aim

To empower mentors with increased confidence, knowledge and the skills to have challenging conversations in the workplace.

Learning outcomes

Having attended this webinar you will be able to:

• Identify key concerns about holding a challenging conversation
• Identify the barriers and understand the professional skills required for effective communication during challenging conversations
• Use evidence based techniques to effectively prepare for and participate in challenging conversations
• Recognise how to prevent challenging conversations from escalating
• Engage in challenging conversations, when necessary, within the workplace setting.

Tutors

• Ms Lisa Rafferty Gracey
  Professional Coach

Aim

To empower mentors with increased confidence, knowledge and the skills to give and receive constructive feedback in the workplace.

Learning outcomes

Having attended this webinar you will be able to:

• Understand the purpose and value of constructive feedback
• Recognise the different evidence-based models available to deliver constructive feedback
• Identify which evidence-based model to use in different situations to deliver constructive feedback
• Deliver appropriate, timely and constructive feedback, to mentees, in formal and informal settings within the workplace.

Tutors

• Mr Canice Ward
  Head of Medicines Regulatory Group, Department of Health
• Ms Lisa Byers
  
• Dr Carolyn Adgey
  Consultant Gastroenterologist, BHSCT
• Dr Joy Watson
  Addictions Consultant, BHSCT

Aim

To provide a discussion forum to explore the potential misuse of OTC opioid products. Specifically, to recognise the signs and symptoms of their misuse, discuss and explore strategies to manage the supply of these medicines in the community pharmacy setting and provide support to patients who have developed problems with these products.

Learning outcomes

Having completed this webinar, you will be able to:

• Define the terms misuse and dependence
• Recognise signs of opioid misuse and dependence
• Consider strategies to help prevent/reduce the abuse of opioid products in a community pharmacy setting
• Discuss the risks of potential misuse/dependence with patients
• Share your knowledge with your pharmacy team to ensure safe and effective supply of OTC opioid products.

Tutors

• Ms Clare Stevenson
  Speech and Language Therapist and Dysphagia Coordinator SEHSCT
• Ms Mary McBride
  Pharmacy Advisor, SPPG
• Ms Jenny Kirkwood
  

Aim

To provide an overview of best practice in assessing dysphagia in adult patients including the implementation of the IDSSI descriptors and how they relate to medication options. This programme will be delivered over two evenings. Part 2 will be held on Wednesday 28th September and Thursday 20th October.

Learning outcomes

Intended learning outcomes:

• Regional update on the work of Dysphagia NI
• Identify eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties
• Assess patients with swallowing difficulties, decide when Speech and Language therapy should be involved, and on whose advice should medications be changed from solid dosage forms
• Outline IDDSI descriptors and how thickeners may be used within different descriptor levels
• Utilise a stepwise approach to medication selection for patients with eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties, whilst signposting to resources to assist with this.

Tutors

• Ms Clare Stevenson
  Speech and Language Therapist and Dysphagia Coordinator SEHSCT
• Ms Mary McBride
  Pharmacy Advisor, SPPG
• Ms Carolee McLaughlin
  

Aim

To provide an overview of the DAMES project, as an example of a Quality Improvement project, accompanied by reflection and discussion of learnings from previous Serious Adverse Incidents to reduce the risk of further choking events, through multidisciplinary collaborative working.

Learning outcomes

Intended learning outcomes:

• Provide an overview of Dames, as an example of quality improvement projects supporting medication use for people with eating, drinking, swallowing difficulties
• Utilise learnings from local serious adverse incidents to reduce patient harm
• Multidisciplinary discussion regarding reducing the risk of further choking events through improved communication pathways.

Tutors

• Dr Helen Toal
  Consultant Psychiatrist, BHSCT
• Mr Clifford McElhinney
  Community Pharmacist
• Miss Katie Blair
  

Aim

To enable pharmacists to effectively contribute to the shared care team delivering opioid substitution therapy (OST) services in NI.

Learning outcomes

Having completed this webinar you will be able to:

• Discuss the NI guidelines on substitution treatments for opioid dependence
• Describe the pharmacological properties of methadone and buprenorphine
• Understand the rationale and risks associated with initiating treatment and thereafter the stabilisation of treatment
• Supervise the consumption in individuals appropriately and manage challenging situations including missed doses and intoxication
• Understand other harm reduction services available from community pharmacy
• Appreciate the role of all professionals involved in the shared care of service users

Tutors

• Neil Dawson
  Specialist Paediatric Pharmacist (ID), RBHSC

Aim

To provide an overview of a range of infections commonly experienced by children and how these should be effectively managed in practice.

Learning outcomes

Having attended this webinar you will be able to:

• Recognise the clinical features of common childhood infections
• Recommend appropriate treatment options using medications available within the pharmacy
• Provide comprehensive advice and support to parents and carers regarding the management of common childhood infections
• Identify red flag symptoms in children and refer appropriately.

Tutors

• Dr Mary Larkin
  Lead Safeguarding GP Northern Ireland

Aim

To provide an overview of the range of safeguarding scenarios pharmacists may observe, and the advice, actions and assistance available to respond & care for patients effectively.

Learning outcomes

Having completed this webinar, you will have:

• Knowledge of the various forms of abuse, definitions, prevalence and healthcare professional training competencies
• Increased awareness of domestic abuse, its presentations and relevant legal frameworks
• Tools to advise domestic abuse victims appropriately, including the ‘ASK for ANI’ campaign
• Knowledge of safeguarding issues in adults at risk of harm, with case study discussion involving suspected medication misuse
• Knowledge of safeguarding policies specific to children & young people, illustrated by case study discussion
• Utilisation of the ‘Fraser Guidelines’ to assess patient capacity to understand
• Raised awareness of other emerging safeguarding themes
• Advice for pharmacists on making appropriate confidential records around safeguarding concerns.

Tutors

• Mr Scott Gill
  Lead Pharmacist, Ards Federation
• Ms Michelle McGeown
  Physiotherapy Clinical Lead in Pain Management
• Ms Natasha Moore
  Better Days Pain Support Programme Co-ordinator

Aim

To provide an overview of self-management strategies for people living with chronic pain.

Learning outcomes

Having attended this webinar, you will be able to:

• Understand the different pain classification systems and their significance
• Explain the ""Biopsychosocial model of pain"" and its importance in delivering patient-centred care
• Recommend effective self-management strategies to people living with chronic pain
• Encourage patients to participate in structured self-management programmes and signpost to self-help resources
• Acknowledge the impact of pain from a patient's perspective and how it affects their quality of life.

Tutors

• Ms Jill Cundell
  Podiatrist

Aim

To equip pharmacists with the knowledge and skills required to identify, prevent, and manage diabetic foot problems.

Learning outcomes

Having attended this webinar, you will be able to:

• Recognise the risk factors for developing diabetic foot problems and understand the prevalence among diabetic patients
• Understand how to take a comprehensive foot assessment and determine a patient’s risk status
• Describe the management strategies for diabetic foot problems, including diabetic foot ulcers, diabetic foot infections and charcot neuroarthropathy
• Outline the Diabetes Foot Care Pathway for Northern Ireland
• Provide comprehensive advice and support to parents and carers including the importance of foot care and footwear advice.

Tutors

• Dr Dan Corbett
  Senior Lecturer (Digital Education), School of Pharmacy QUB

Aim

To provide pharmacists with an understanding of the emerging role of digital diagnostics in healthcare.

Learning outcomes

Having attended this webinar, you will be able to:

• Recognise the benefits and challenges of using digital diagnostics in healthcare
• Outline the digital diagnostics already in use and potential future developments
• Identify ways pharmacists can integrate digital diagnostics into their practice
• Provide guidance and support to patients using digital diagnostics, ensuring they understand how to effectively use them and integrate it into their overall treatment plan.

Tutors

• Mrs Aine Liggett
  
• Ms Siobhan Kelly
  Lead Nurse for Yellow Card Centre Northern Ireland

Aim

To promote the importance of healthcare professionals reporting adverse events to the MHRA’s Yellow Card scheme to improve patient safety.

Learning outcomes

Having completed this webinar you will be able to:

• Describe the role of the NI Yellow Card Centre
• Understand the benefits of reporting via the Yellow Card scheme
• List the range of products for which safety issues should be reported
• Define the information to be reported within a Yellow Card report
• Report relevant adverse events within your professional practice.