Pictured receiving the Crystal Clear health literacy accreditation is pharmacist Joanne Hynes with Siobhan Moloney, MSD, and the rest of the team at Joanne Hynes totalhealth Pharmacy, Ballinrobe.

Ballinrobe pharmacy awarded health literacy quality mark

JOANNE Hynes totalhealth Pharmacy, Ballinrobe, has been awarded the Crystal Clear Mark - Ireland’s first health literacy quality mark.

Developed by MSD and the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA), 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's the second Mayo pharmacy recognised for its commitment to providing a health literacy friendly service to patients.

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, who concluded it qualified for the quality mark.

Commenting on their 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.”

Pharmacies who 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.