RPS and Marie Curie charity to showcase pharmacy end-of-life care at Scottish parliament

RPS Scotland has partnered with charity organisation Marie Curie for an exhibition at the Scottish Parliament this week to highlight Daffodil Standards and the crucial contribution of community pharmacies to palliative and end-of-life care. The exhibition is being sponsored by Jeremy Balfour MSP.

Community pharmacies offer vital assistance by providing guidance on medication adjustments and side effects, RPS Scotland said in a statement. They are easily accessible without the need for an appointment, providing essential support and reassurance to families in times of need.

The Daffodil Standards, which is jointly developed by RPS and Marie Curie, drive continuous improvement in end-of-life and bereavement support within community pharmacies, benefiting terminally ill patients, their families, and caregivers. These standards align with the RCGP/Marie Curie guidelines for general practice introduced in 2019.

Since its May launch, over 450 pharmacies throughout Great Britain, including more than 30 in Scotland, have implemented these principles, the statement said.

RPS Scotland and Marie Curie will host a stall for MSPs in the Garden Lobby of the Scottish Parliament (from Sept. 19 to 21) to promote awareness of the Standards.

"Pharmacy teams across Scotland provide palliative and end-of-life care every day, positively impacting terminally ill patients, their families, and carers," said Laura Wilson, Director for Scotland at RPS. "The Daffodil Standards are a crucial resource enabling pharmacy teams to continually assess their practice, ensuring the delivery of optimal palliative and end-of-life care."

A Parliamentary Motion has also been submitted before the exhibition to acknowledge the Daffodil Standards, with signatures from MSPs representing various parties, RPS Scotland said.

"I'm glad that RPS is presenting the Standards to MSPs at the Scottish Parliament this week, ensuring our elected representatives are informed about the efforts in place to assist individuals facing a terminal illness," Wilson added.

On Sept. 7, RPS highlighted that the UK Commission on Pharmacy Professional Leadership lacks essential transparency, efficiency, and diligence required for success. They urged a shift in its approach. RPS Chief Executive Paul Bennett and President Claire Anderson stated that the Commission's operational approach hinders its ability to meet the expectations of both the profession and the public.