A pathfinder, which was established recently to test new models
of prescribing and supply, has enabled Foyle Hospice staff to
prescribe medicine to palliative patients living in their own
homes.
The pathfinder enables specialist palliative care doctors and
nurses to directly prescribe, which is then supplied via local
community pharmacies. This has shown benefits in reducing patient
waiting times to access medicines, freeing up GP capacity, and
helping patients approaching the end of life to receive care in
their own homes.
Professor Cathy Harrison, Chief Pharmaceutical Officer,
Department of Health, said: “Gaps in the care provided to
palliative care patients in the community have been highlighted
over the past number of years. A significant challenge has been
access to timely prescribing and supply of vital medication
needed for symptom relief at the end of life.
“This pathfinder is a prime example of developing novel
prescribing and supply models to ensure we meet the needs of this
population more effectively, deliver care in the community and
maximise capacity within existing resource.”
Prior to the pathfinder project, specialist palliative care
doctors and nurses operating within Foyle Hospice needed to
contact the patient's GP to ask them to prescribe medicines on
their behalf. The pathfinder ran from September 2024 to March
2025 and enabled more timely access to supply of palliative
medication.
Hospice prescribers participating in the pathfinder can directly
write prescriptions, where appropriate, for medicines required
urgently or where increased doses of existing medication are
needed that can be supplied from a local community pharmacy.
The Foyle Hospice Community Specialist Palliative Care Team
provide professional palliative care expertise and support to
patients and their families in the comfort of their own home. The
management of symptoms and psychological support are key elements
in enabling many patients to remain at home.
Donall Henderson, Chief Executive, Foyle Hospice said: “Many
people with life limiting conditions wish to have their
palliative care needs met in the community. This pathfinder has
improved access to medicines, reduced duplication of effort and
utilised the skills and experience of specialist palliative care
professionals.”
A local GP and member of the Task and Finish Group responsible
for establishing the pathfinder, Dr Donna Mace, welcomed this new
arrangement, said: “Patients have timely access to medication and
are receiving the right medicine at the right time from the right
healthcare professional.”
To assist with wider implementation of the model, the Medicines
Optimisation Innovation Centre have independently evaluated the
pathfinder. This new approach to prescribing has influenced
positive partnership working. As a result of the pathfinder's
success, a recommendation will be made to incrementally adopt
HS21 prescribing into standard practice by all Hospice settings
throughout Northern Ireland.
Notes to Editors:
- The Medicines Optimisation Innovation Centre (MOIC) is a
regional centre dedicated to delivering medicines optimisation to
the people of Northern Ireland. Further information available at
the MOIC
website.
