Joanne Hynes totalhealth Pharmacy, Ballinrobe, has been awarded the Crystal Clear Mark, Ireland’s first health literacy quality mark. The programme recognises the critical role pharmacies play in helping patients understand their health issues and the steps they can take to improve their health. It has been developed by MSD and the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA ).
To be awarded the Crystal Clear Mark, Joanne Hynes totalhealth Pharmacy had to complete an online audit and submit evidence to show how the pharmacy was health literacy friendly. The audit was then assessed by NALA which concluded that Joanne Hynes totalhealth Pharmacy qualified for the quality mark.
Commenting on the accreditation, owner Joanne Hynes said: “Pharmacists and wider pharmacy teams all have a responsibility to ensure that they provide a health literacy friendly service to the public. What we have learned through this process is that simple changes can make a big difference to the health of our patients. We are therefore delighted to receive the Crystal Clear Mark. This will enable us to provide an even better level of service to our customers in the local area.”
Congratulating Joanne Hynes totalhealth Pharmacy on the achievement, Inez Bailey, director, NALA said: “This programme is an investment in better health outcomes for all people in Ireland and so I would like to extend heartfelt congratulations to Joanne and her team for their significant achievement.”
Siobhán Maloney from MSD added: “MSD has worked with NALA for a number of years to increase awareness of the importance of healthcare professionals communicating clearly to patients and also for patients to be encouraged to ask questions when they don’t understand information. The Crystal Clear quality mark for pharmacies and general practices is a natural extension of this work. Once awarded the mark, the pharmacy or general practice can display it on their door and in the pharmacy or waiting room. Customers of Joanne Hynes totalhealth Pharmacy can now be confident that the pharmacy has been set up in a health literacy friendly way. They will also know that the staff in the pharmacy are trained in providing information in a clear and concise way. MSD is delighted to be involved in this programme.”
Pharmacies which wish to participate in the Crystal Clear Programme can log on to www.nala.ie/crystalclear to complete the online audit. This will identify what they are already doing to support the literacy and numeracy needs of their patients and what they could do better. Those who are successful in completing this audit can then apply for the Crystal Clear Mark
The Crystal Clear Pharmacy Programme is a joint initiative between MSD and NALA.
