Key Summary
- 60 community pharmacies to support end-of-life care
- Faster access to medicines and specialist advice locally
- Part of a wider shift to community-based care under the Reset Plan
Northern Ireland’s Health Minister, Mike Nesbitt, launched Community Pharmacy Palliative Care Network that will function in 60 community pharmacies across Northern Ireland.
The launch was declared during the minister’s visit to McCoubrey’s Chemist in north Belfast, according to the Department of Health Northern Ireland website.
The Community Pharmacy Northern Ireland (CPNI) and the Department of Health are jointly implementing the network.
The programme ensures timely and accessible palliative care medications as well as specialist advice for the masses at the end of life.
Gerard Greene, chief executive of Community Pharmacy NI, said, “Community Pharmacies play a vital role in supporting patients and their families at what can be a very difficult end of life stage.”
The network is Nesbitt’s push to “shift left,” by increasing the role of community pharmacies in the new Neighbourhood Model of Care, as mentioned in the Reset Plan.
“The launch of the Community Pharmacy Palliative Care Network marks an important step in strengthening palliative care across Northern Ireland,” Nesbitt said.
“The Network, which was referenced in our Winter Preparedness Plan, will ensure that patients and their families receive timely, compassionate support at one of the most difficult times in life,” he added.
Along with this, the Department of Health urges the public to join the Daffodil Standards, which provides a framework for community pharmacies to assure high quality palliative care for patients and their families.
The programme is jointly conducted by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) and Marie Curie, a charity providing end-of-life care.
