Community pharmacies urged to sign up to Daffodil Standards in a bid to support neighbourhood models of care in Northern Ireland

Community pharmacies across Northern Ireland are being encouraged to sign up to the Daffodil Standards as part of a growing focus on delivering integrated, neighbourhood care for people living with terminal illness, their families and carers. 

Developed by the UK’s leading end of life charity, Marie Curie in partnership with the Royal College of Pharmacy, the Daffodil Standards support community pharmacy teams to play a consistent and confident role in person‑centred end of life care.  

The Daffodil Standards also align closely with the Department of Health’s neighbourhood model of care which aims to shift care closer to home, improve continuity and strengthen multidisciplinary working across primary, community and voluntary services. 

The call comes as uptake of the Daffodil Standards continues to grow across the region, with Boots Pharmacy becoming the latest to sign up 55 of its community pharmacies in NI.  

By embedding the Daffodil Standards into everyday practice, pharmacies can help to strengthen neighbourhood‑based care, working alongside GPs, district nursing teams, hospices and the voluntary sector to ensure people living with terminal illnesses receive timely support, appropriate signposting and compassionate care within their own communities. 

 For pharmacists and their teams, the Daffodil Standards support: 

• Increased confidence when supporting people with palliative and end of life care needs within the community 
• Improved signposting and referral into local neighbourhood services and support networks 
• More effective, compassionate conversations with patients, carers and families 
• A welcoming pharmacy environment for people experiencing bereavement 

Chris Black, Pharmacist at Marie Curie NI, said: “Community pharmacy teams are a cornerstone of neighbourhood care in Northern Ireland, offering accessible, trusted support within local communities.  

 “The Daffodil Standards are designed to help pharmacists feel confident in supporting people affected by terminal illness and bereavement, while contributing to more joined‑up, person‑centred care across neighbourhoods. 

 “Signing up to the Daffodil Standards is free of charge and registered pharmacies receive a range of learning resources that can be adapted to suit their needs and the needs of their patients.” 

 Marie Curie is now urging more community pharmacies across Northern Ireland to join those already participating and contribute to delivering compassionate, high-quality end of life care as part of the neighbourhood model. 

To find out more and register for the Daffodil Standards for Pharmacies, visit: The Daffodil Standards – Royal College of Pharmacy