"End of Life care"

My Aunt choose to die at home with cancer. The care from the HCPs-district nursing, SPC teams (Including AHPs) Hospice and carers connect was fantastic.

However I felt the need to make this comment to hopefully improve things for someone wanting to die at home have more timely support in terms of the right care at the right time.

My aunt was in terrible pain and it was very hard to manage even with a syringe pump, she often needed breakthrough meds. This was very challenging as it needed a call to DNs, collecting a prescription at the GP surgery and then trying to find a Pharmacy that held those controlled medicines. This meant my family and myself drving about whilst my aunt was in terrible pain.

No one could tell me what Pharmacies stocked this medication and I have now learnt that there is a QR code to let you know where these Pharmacies are. This needs better and consistent communication from HCPs to families.

I also have heard of the Daffodil standards. I know that these are not mandatory, but how can Pharmacies be further encouraged to endorse them? There is also an excellent pilot within NHSCT with the Folye Pathfinder, this has cut down this process by utilising NMP nurses, Is BHSCT and indeed other Trusts looking at this service?

Pharmacy also need to look at stocking safe oral care hygiene products such as non foaming toothpaste. I would appreciate a response on how we can make things better, not just sending emails to staff about the QR code.