Pharmacist Support Begins New Partnership With Action on Addiction
24 October 2009
Pharmacist Support is building on its existing Health Support Programme, a confidential specialist service that exists to help those who experience problems with alcohol, drug, or other types of dependency. The Charity made an informed decision to join forces with Action on Addiction whose specialist services will enhance the support the Charity is able to provide to those in need.The dedicated Health Support Programme freephone number, 0808 168 5132, will be managed 24/7 by Action on Addiction where its team of experts will be on hand to assist those experiencing addiction and dependency issues.
Pharmacist Support Charity Manager, Diane Leicester, comments: "This specialist service is critical to our clients who have issues with dependency. Confidential assistance through the Health Support Programme in the past has prevented marriage breakdown, fitness to practice proceedings and has led to a return to full-time work for the people involved. To ensure that the Charity can fully meet our clients' needs, we feel the time is right to join forces with Action on Addiction - a specialist support provider whose holistic approach mirrors that of Pharmacist Support. We look forward to this being a long and fruitful relationship for both parties."
Nick Barton, Chief Executive of Action on Addiction says, "Action on Addiction is delighted to have been chosen to provide a specialist service to the nation's pharmacists and their families. It is only sensible to provide support to those who play such an important part in the nation's healthcare. Professionals are not immune to the problems that affect society as a whole. The charity looks forward to a productive relationship with Pharmacist Support that results in pharmacists and their families receiving the help they need."
The difficult economic climate has seen demand for Pharmacist Support's services rise across the board this year. Funded entirely by donations from pharmacists, the charity relies on their generosity to continue to help people in need.
Pharmacist Support provides a range of other confidential services including a stress helpline, financial assistance, debt, benefits and employment advice to any member or former member of the profession and their dependents, as well as to pharmacy students.
To find out more about the services Pharmacist Support provides and to donate online please visit http://www.pharmacistsupport.org/. For further details regarding Action on Addiction please visit http://www.actiononaddiction.org.uk/
ENDS
For further information please contact Ed Clark on 0207 793 1011 or email ed.clark@actiononaddiction.org.uk
Notes to Editors
Action on Addiction
- Action on Addiction is the only UK charity working across the addiction field in research, prevention, treatment,professional education and family support.
- Our treatment centres include Clouds House, Hope House and SHARPstructuredday programmes.
Pharmacist Support
- Pharmacist Support is the country's leading independent welfare charity for pharmacists and is funded by donations from pharmacists.
- Pharmacist Support was previously known as The Benevolent Fund of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, and was re-launched in 2008 to reflect the modern day needs of today's pharmacists.
- Pharmacist Support's services are available to all pharmacists and their dependents, pharmacy students and those retired from the profession.
- The charity provides confidential advice and support with issues relating to stress, welfare and finance.
- All services are FREE of charge and include; Listening Friends, Signposting, Home Visiting, Grants and Financial Assistance, Specialist Advice Services and the Pharmacist Health Support Programme
- Many of the services offered are delivered directly by experienced volunteer pharmacists located throughout Great Britain. Due to a shared professional background, these volunteers are uniquely positioned to be able to understand the specific pressures pharmacists and their families face.