At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was concern within Sussex NHS Commissioners (Brighton & Hove CCG, East Sussex CCG, West Sussex CCG) regarding appropriate and timely access to End of life care (EOLC) medications for people in the community setting.
A Sussex Commissioners EOLC Medicines Management working group was set up bringing pharmacists and technicians together from the different CCGs (East Sussex, Brighton and Hove, and West Sussex). The aim was to support local pharmacy supply of EOLC medications, reducing unwarranted variance across Sussex and ensuring timely access to required medications. A number of initiatives were developed and implemented to support these aims:
We also worked with local community Trusts to change prescribing processes between the GPs and community nursing staff to promote remote working. Utilising digital templates reduced the need for 'wet-signed' EOLC charts.
Putting measures in place such as the LCS for EOLC medication and the 'back-up' access to EOLC medicines via our local acute Trusts helped to ensure widespread timely access to EOLC medication when needed.
The increased need for EOLC medication continues but we have confidence that supplies of these drugs are available throughout the geography of Sussex.
