Palliative Care / End of Life medicines - how to prioritise these patients?

Unfortunately we are currently faced with the situation of needing to supply very urgent end of life medicines more frequently than we have done in the past. This increase, together with restricted access to our community pharmacies due to social distancing requirements has caused several issues over the past few weeks.

There have been times when a nurse has been unable to contact the pharmacy in advance to arrange a swift and efficient pick up of the medication required. Because of this, they have faced a wait of up to an hour to pick up medicines, which in some cases are for patients with literally hours left to live. CPSC has been in discussions with Healthcare Trusts to try and work out a practical way in which to avoid this type of scenario going forward.

We ask therefore the following to be considered by pharmacies:

• Sharing of a dedicated professional telephone number (if you have one) for easy contacting by nurse/ healthcare professional.
• Briefing of the pharmacy team with regard to necessary 'queue jumping' by nurses to enable as quick a turn around and hand out as possible for necessary end of life medication prescriptions.

CPSC have asked the Healthcare Trusts:

• To ensure ID is shown appropriately by the nurse in order to identify the urgent nature of the medicines being picked up.
• Phone ahead of arriving to ensure medication is in-stock and available. (Of course we realise that phone-lines are incredibly busy at this time and it can sometimes be difficult to answer all calls quickly or for the person calling to get through)

Nb. NHS England have asked community pharmacy to prioritise these prescriptions

It's important for us all to consider the urgent nature of these medicines and to ensure that the people requiring them have as peaceful and dignified end to their life as possible.

Thank you for everything that you continue to do each day.