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MP's praise for Teesside's Healthy Living Pharmacies

Middlesbrough MP Andy McDonald has praised the unheralded work Teesside pharmacies are carrying out to improve the health and wellbeing of local people.

Mr McDonald called in on one of the town’s thriving Healthy Living Pharmacies, Lloyds Pharmacy on Ormesby High Street, to see how staff there proactively promote a healthy lifestyle to the local community.

Lloyds is one of more than 50 Healthy Living Pharmacies across Middlesbrough, Stockton, Redcar and Hartlepool helping to reduce health inequalities within some of Teesside’s most deprived communities by delivering high quality health and well-being services and free advice.

Along with other leading local pharmacies, they provide free expert advice on a range of health issues including alcohol intake, smoking, sexual health, substance misuse and medicines.

Mr McDonald said: “We face particular challenges in Middlesbrough to encourage more people to lead a healthier lifestyle. Schemes such as Healthy Living Pharmacies can play a vital role in promoting health and well-being in our local communities.

“I was keen to see first-hand what pharmacies such as Lloyds are doing in the town and to learn more about their proactive approach in tackling these issues.”

Pharmacy manager Przemyslaw Pindor and his six-strong team provide a service to customers across Ormesby, Park End, Priestfields, Spencerbeck, Netherfields, Overfields and Thorntree.

Mr Pindor, who has run the pharmacy for the past six years, said the visit from the town’s MP would help to spread the word about the wide-ranging health service provided by modern-day pharmacies.

“So many people retain an old-fashioned view of pharmacies being simply about dispensing medicines but we offer a wide range of services that are so valuable to our communities,” he said.

“Pharmacies offer every possible service - from prescriptions to smoking cessation, emergency contraception, blood pressure and diabetes checks. Pharmacies are local and have extended opening times that make them incredibly convenient. Perhaps best of all, you don’t need an appointment.”

Lloyds pharmacy’s healthy living champions Anna Dicks and Tracy Darby provide a successful stop-smoking service that sees patients guided through a three-month course that features advice, support, regular carbon dioxide tests and a choice of products including nicotine patches, lozenges, inhalers, gums and sprays.

“We constantly hear from patients we help kick the habit that they couldn’t have done it on their own,” said Anna. “GPs are increasingly referring patients to pharmacies like ours to help people give up smoking. We are delighted to help.”

Lloyds also provide a free delivery service for medications, while a needle exchange service is utilised by more than 20 local drug users.

For more information or to find your nearest Healthy Living Pharmacy, visit www.teessidepharmacy.net.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Dave Allan Communications .