Services Database Palliative Care with Antiviral Service (Oldham Area)

To maintain a minimum stock level of palliative care medicines, as detailed in Appendix 1. Allowances will be
made for medicines issued and awaiting delivery from the wholesaler and where stock is unavailable due to
manufacturing problems. This list will be agreed between Oldham CCG, local palliative care specialists and
GMLPC and updated, as necessary.

The list of pharmacies that have agreed to provide this service (section 5), together with contact details will be
shared with all community pharmacies, all GP Practices, Out of Hours (OOH) services ‘Hospice at Home’
service, NHS 111 and local palliative care teams in the Oldham area.

The provider agrees to liaise with other providers, and the commissioner to ensure there is a provider open
every day.

The provider will ensure all relevant staff including locums are aware of the service and will produce a Standard
Operating Procedure (SOP) which all staff should adhere to. The SOP will include:
• List of agreed medicines
• Details of wholesalers – delivery/order times and contact details
• Contact details of other pharmacies providing the service
• Contact details for the Commissioner Lead
• Record of stock check
• Significant event reporting

All prescriptions received for palliative care medicines listed in Appendix 1 will be prioritised for dispensing with
the aim of ensuring they are ready for collection within one hour of receipt.
Stock will be reordered promptly when it has been supplied against a prescription.
Where a medicine is unavailable, for whatever reason, the pharmacy will endeavour to identify an alternative point of supply for the patient or their representative.
Where a medicine is unable to be obtained to replace dispensed stock within 1 working day, a report should be completed via PharmOutcomes as soon as the provider is aware the ordered stock will not be received; the commissioner is responsible for updating the out of hours service of any relevant stock issues.

Medicines will be checked regularly (at least weekly) to ensure sufficient stock is available and in date. A monthly
report will be submitted via PharmOutcomes to confirm that a stock check has been completed.
Pharmacists will be available to offer professional advice to patients and carers on the medicines dispensed and their use within palliative care. They may also refer to specialist centres, support groups or other health and social care professionals where appropriate.