Community pharmacy teams can provide a great support mechanism, both for the patients and their families and carers, and for the wider multi-disciplinary team.

Being sensitive, honest and empathetic with patients and their families and carers will help them with the difficult and complex decisions they need to make at this emotional time in their lives.

Offering a medicines use review or a conversation about their medicines is a good way of ensuring the patient is taking his/her medicines correctly. Pharmacy staff can play an active role in discussions that:

• Address the patient's understanding of what the medicine is for and how it should be used, as well as any issues or concerns they may have 
• Provide sufficient information, depending on the wishes
  of the patient
• Support patients, their families or carers with medicines or in other areas where they require support.

Following the review, it may be apparent that the patient needs a monitored dosage system to help with their medicine-taking and allay any fears regarding the timings of medicines. Offering repeat prescription collection and delivery services may be all that is required by some people, as they may have accessibility issues and want to be with their loved ones. 

Patients should also be reminded that the pharmacy can dispose of unwanted medicines and that emergency supplies of certain medicines can be obtained without the need for a prescription.

Healthcare professionals must assess a patient's needs regularly as some people find it difficult to ask for help. Family members and carers may require support to address specific concerns, fears and anxieties. Ensure that family members and carers are made aware of local sources of information, advice and support, to address their own needs. People of different ethnic backgrounds or cultures may have specific preferences regarding family involvement.

It is also important that families and carers understand the importance of keeping healthy themselves so that they can care for the person affected. Flu vaccination services or health screens, such as NHS health checks, may be advisable and are easily accessible within community pharmacy.

Communicating with healthcare professionals within the multi-disciplinary team and other service providers wo are caring for the person is also key. Continuity of care is extremely important and effective communication enables professionals to exchange information, plan interventions and share responsibility for the person's care.