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Specialist Palliative Care Pharmacist role welcomed

25th September 2024

 A Pharmacist from the Southern Health and Social Care Trust is supporting patients and their families in a newly created role within the Southern Area Hospice.

The Trust has expanded their Specialist Palliative Care Pharmacist team from two to three and in doing so have strengthened the multi-disciplinary palliative care team within the hospice setting.

As part of World Pharmacist Day (25th September), a day to recognise and celebrate the role that pharmacists play in healthcare, Jessie McNally explained what this new role involves.

“Within this role I support patients and their families with medicine, palliative and End of Life Care needs in the in-patient unit, day hospice and the community setting as required.

“I work as part of the multidisciplinary team alongside medical and nursing staff, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, social workers, and chaplains, to create and adjust patients individualised plans including medications based on their individual symptoms and overall treatment goals.”

Jessie added that whilst the role can be emotional, it is also very fulfilling.

“One of the best parts about the job is talking to patients and families, educating and counselling them on how they can get the best use of their medicines to improve their quality of life, despite living with a palliative illness.

“It is important to remember that palliative care services for many people with life-threatening or terminal illness can be delivered over time. Our prime focus is for holistic care and symptom management of patients. Many of the patients who I treat get relief from their pain and other distressing symptoms allowing them to get home.”