Over 500 Boots pharmacists trained to give wider cancer support

Macmillan Cancer Support and Boots UK have used their partnership to train over 500 Boots Macmillan Information Pharmacists, with the aim of increasing cancer patients? access to local support and services.

The two organisations began their three-year partnership in 2010 to try and connect the wider community with Macmillan?s support services.

A recent YouGov survey of 1,001 adults diagnosed with cancer a year ago or more, found that a third of people affected by cancer do not believe they have received enough support and information outside of their healthcare team (which does not include pharmacists). In a bid to address this gap, Boots UK and Macmillan have provided training to participating pharmacists as part of their continuing professional development. These Boots Macmillan Information Pharmacists will be based in Boots stores across the country.

This is the first time the role of community pharmacists has been extended to provide this type of cancer assistance, according to Boots UK and Macmillan. They believe it demonstrates the wider role that pharmacy can play in provision of cancer services.

Peter Bainbridge, director of pharmacy services at Boots UK, said the partnership means that in addition to providing medicines advice, the pharmacists can offer guidance and signpost people to Macmillan services related to the wider issues affecting those living with cancer.

Rosie Loftus, lead GP adviser to Macmillan, believes that as the number of people in the UK living with or surviving cancer increases the demand for cancer services means pharmacists are well placed to assist with the provision of information and support alongside existing primary care services. "This is an example of the ways in which the healthcare community can work collaboratively," she said.

The YouGov survey found that 45 per cent of respondents would be comfortable talking to their pharmacist about cancer and 92 per cent believed that information received outside of their healthcare team had a positive impact on their emotional, physical or financial wellbeing.

Source: http://feeds.pjonline.com/~r/pjonline/news/~3/JFO78QCsbck/over_500_boots_pharmacists_trained_to_give_wider_cancer_support

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