MLAS VISIT LOCAL PHARMACIES IN RECOGNITION OF PALLIATIVE CARE STANDARDS
Six MLAs made visits to local pharmacies during palliative care week in September to speak to staff about their role in supporting patients who require palliative care in the community.
Alliance Party Deputy Leader Eóin Tennyson, UUP MLA Doug Beattie and DUP MLA Diane Dodds visited Daly’s Pharmacy in Banbridge, while Alliance Party MLA Connie Egan, UUP MLA Alan Chambers and DUP MLA Peter Martin met with staff at Sweeney’s Pharmacy in Holywood.
The annual, all-island campaign is aimed at raising public awareness and increasing understanding of palliative care and its benefits. Data previously published by leading end of life charity, Marie Curie, found that the demand for palliative care in Northern Ireland is expected to grow by more than 32% by 2048 (from 15,500 people in 2023 to 20,500 in 2048) due to an aging population, an increase in chronic illnesses, and the increased presence of two or more long-term health conditions within the population.
At their visits, MLAs heard first-hand how local pharmacists play a key role in supporting those living with a terminal illness, and their families and carers, by providing quality, personalised care both at the end of life and following a bereavement.
Eóin Tennyson MLA, said, “What stood out to me today in Daly’s was the commitment of the team here at the pharmacy in supporting those living with life-limiting conditions, as well as their families and carers, at some of the most difficult times in their lives. They provide a familiar face, advice, support and continuity of care in the community which cannot be matched or replicated anywhere else in the health service.”
Palliative care is currently provided by all community pharmacies with patients and carers encouraged to use their regular pharmacy to obtain medication in the first instance, however Daly’s and Sweeney’s are amongst more than 75 pharmacies in Northern Ireland which are currently signed up to the ‘Daffodil Standards’ - a set of guidelines developed by The Royal Pharmaceutical Society in partnership with Marie Curie, which help pharmacists to maintain good practice in providing palliative and end of life care. Launched in Northern Ireland in March of this year, the Daffodil Standards for pharmacies are supported by the Department of Health, Pharmacy Forum NI and Community Pharmacy NI.
Community Pharmacist Ellen Gault from Daly’s Pharmacy in Banbridge is joined by Alliance Party Deputy Leader Eóin Tennyson, UUP MLA Doug Beattie and DUP MLA Diane Dodds.
The feedback from those signed up to the initiative has been positive, with pharmacists commenting that they would encourage community pharmacy teams to get involved, as by doing so they will get additional information and support to help build their confidence in providing palliative care.
David Marshall, Community Pharmacist at Sweeney’s Pharmacy Holywood, said, “We link in closely with the Marie Curie Hospice in East Belfast, as well as with local district nursing teams, GPs, carers and families who come
through the door for things such as prescriptions, medicines, advice and signposting. Since signing up to the Daffodil Standards and rolling out the education to our staff, we’ve noticed an improvement in their confidence in assisting people with palliative care needs. I would definitely encourage other pharmacies who are interested in registering, to do so.”
Community pharmacy teams can find out more about the Daffodil Standards and to register for a free welcome pack, search ‘Marie Curie Daffodil Standards’ or visit
mariecurie.org.uk.
Alliance Party MLA Connie Egan, UUP MLA Alan Chambers and DUP MLA Peter Martin met Community Pharmacist David Marshall at Sweeney’s Pharmacy in Holywood alongside Marie Curie Specialist Palliative Care Pharmacist Chris Black.
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