Six MLAs have made visits to local pharmacies this week 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 visits mark Palliative Care Week, 7-13 September, which is an annual, all-island campaign 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.
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 the 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.
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 can’t be matched or replicated anywhere else in the health service.”
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.”
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.
To 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.