Macmillan Rural Palliative Care Pharmacist Practitioner Project Phase 2 Report January 2015

In 2012 NHS Highland secured funding from Macmillan Cancer Support in collaboration with The Boots Company PLC to explore a new service delivery model for the rural Skye, Kyle & Lochalsh population. The project would pilot the development of a full-time Macmillan Rural Palliative Care Pharmacist Practitioner (MRPP) within in the area, and test the ability of this post to: develop community pharmacy capacity to effectively, efficiently and safely support the needs of those in this rural community with palliative care needs regardless of care setting; improve service provision/co-ordination of services ensuring opportunities are developed for training and peer support, and; provide quality information to support practice. The Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences (SIPBS) at the University of Strathclyde was commissioned to undertake the project evaluation. This project is seen as a demonstration project to inform national policy with direct alignment to the objectives of the Scottish Government national action plan 'Living and Dying Well' , the Vision and Action Plan: “Prescription for Excellence” and the progressive integration of health and social care services across Scotland (1-3).