In recognition of World Patient Safety Day 2024 and its theme, “Improving Diagnosis for Patient Safety,” Dr Geraldine O’Hare, President of the Council of the Pharmaceutical Society NI, has issued the following statement:
“The Pharmaceutical Society NI is honoured to join the global healthcare community in observing World Patient Safety Day 2024. This year’s theme, ‘Improving Diagnosis for Patient Safety,’ underscores the essential role that accurate and timely diagnosis, along with appropriate prescribing, plays in ensuring patient safety and enhancing healthcare outcomes.
“Pharmacists, as medication experts, are crucial in delivering care and helping individuals maintain and improve their health, safety, and wellbeing. In Northern Ireland, we are fortunate to have exceptional pharmacists who are independent prescribers utilising robust systems for safe diagnosis, prescribing, and the administration of medicines. The role of pharmacists in our healthcare system continues to evolve, and starting in 2026, all newly qualified pharmacists will be able to prescribe medicines independently from their first day on the register.
“On this World Patient Safety Day, the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland reaffirms its commitment to enhancing collaboration with pharmacists, patients and other partners to ensure patient safety and the highest standards of patient care. We invite these groups to engage with us, share their insights, and actively participate in our initiatives to continue our work.”
More information about World Patient Safety Day 2024 can be found here.