title: Effective delivery of pharmaceutical palliative care: challenges in the community pharmacy setting.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Medication, particularly analgesia, is an important component of palliative care. However, timely access to medication, particularly opioids, can become problematic for patients receiving palliative care in the community setting. In Scotland in 2009, NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde Health Board (NHS GG&C), in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support, established a programme to improve the local provision of pharmaceutical palliative care services with the appointment of Macmillan Pharmacist Facilitators. Researchers at the University of Strathclyde were commissioned to support the development and evaluation of this new service. We report the findings of this initial investigation into the provision of current palliative care services and outline an evidence-based action plan to support service improvement.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Qualitative data were gathered using focus group interviews. Three key themes were identified: medication supply, communication, and education and training.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study findings have been used to develop an evidence-based action plan for the Macmillan Pharmacist Facilitators. This program of work is due for completion by December 2012.
authors.affiliation: University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom. gazala.akram@strath.ac.uk
authors.forename: Gazala
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Akram
authors.forename: Marion
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bennie
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: McKellar
authors.forename: Susanna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Michels
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hudson
authors.forename: Janet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Trundle
mesh_terms: D003157:Community Pharmacy Services; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D017144:Focus Groups; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012606:Scotland; D014481:United States