The Palliative Care Network will operate in around 60 community pharmacies across Northern Ireland and will ensure patients have timely access to palliative care medicines and specialist advice.
It will lead to better patient care at the end of life.
- Contact details for Network pharmacies and palliative stock list
- Link to NI Formulary (guidelines ) Palliative Care | NI Formulary
The Network is designed to:
• Provide timely, local access to essential palliative care medicines during the pharmacy’s normal opening hours.
• Support continuity of care for palliative patients.
• Act as a local area of expertise in palliative medicines for patients and healthcare professionals.
• Promote integrated working and communication with other healthcare providers. These include GP practices, out of hours medical services, specialist nursing services, care homes, hospices and other community pharmacies.
• Please note, the Network does not operate an “on call” service. Healthcare professionals should refer to local protocols for the supply of medicines when all community pharmacies are closed.
Training
All pharmacists must undertake necessary training to meet the competency required to provide the service:
1. Initial training provided by SPPG on 9th December 2025 7:30-8:45pm. This is accessible via the link below:
Community Pharmacy Palliative Care Network-20251209_193047UTC-Meeting Recording
Supporting documentation
- Service specification
- Contract
- Palliative Care Network Factsheet for professionals
- Palliative Care Poster – Pharmacists
- Palliative Care Poster – Healthcare professionals
- Palliative Care Medicines Claim Form
Palliative Care Rota – On-call-service specification
Palliative Care Rota – On-call-service
Media:
Health Minister launches Community Pharmacy Palliative Care Network | Department of Health