Daffodil Standards launched to support community pharmacy teams providing end-of-life care

Community pharmacies across Northern Ireland can now sign up to the Daffodil Standards for palliative and end of life care. The Daffodil Standards are a joint initiative between the Royal Pharmaceutical Society and Marie Curie that aim to build on the high standard of care already provided to palliative care patients and their families by community pharmacy teams.

The Standards were launched at Parliament Buildings on Monday 31st March 2025 and are supported by Department of Health NI, Pharmacy Forum, and Community Pharmacy NI, and are led by the regional lead pharmacist for palliative and end of life care. Community pharmacists can sign up to the Daffodil Standards through the Marie Curie website and they are encouraged to use the Standards to build the confidence of pharmacy team members when providing support to palliative care patients.

Once a pharmacy signs up to the Daffodil Standards, a welcome pack containing all necessary resources will be sent out to pharmacy teams. Community pharmacies across Northern Ireland provide support to palliative care patients daily, and the Standards will support pharmacy teams to offer the best end of life care for their patients and their families.

Katherine Kidd Head of Professional Services and Funding at Community Pharmacy NI commented:
“The launch of the Daffodil Standards to support community pharmacies in providing end of life care to patients is welcomed. Pharmacy teams across Northern Ireland can use the Standards at their own pace to help them gradually build on the high standards of care that is already provided to palliative patients, carers, and family members.”

Kevin McDevitt Palliative Care Network Pharmacists added:
“Community pharmacists and their teams across Northern Ireland already provide a high level of care and support to patients and families through a difficult and challenging time. In adopting the Daffodil Standards, there is an opportunity to reflect on the different ways this engagement happens, and how this can be built upon to enable pharmacy teams to further support their patients. I can see the confidence in my team grow through participating in the Standards and I would wholeheartedly encourage community pharmacists to find out more about how their pharmacy could get involved.”

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Peter Armstrong, Regional Lead Pharmacist for Palliative Care said: “We know the huge contribution community pharmacists make towards good end of life care in their local communities, frequently going the extra mile to ensure the very best care for their patients. Implementation of the Daffodil Standards for Palliative Care provides a framework to enable the whole pharmacy team to build on their skills, develop their confidence, elevate their commitment to palliative care and reinforce their key role in supporting patients with a terminal illness and their families.”

Chris Black, Specialist Palliative Care Pharmacist Marie Curie and Belfast Trust concluded that: “Community pharmacies are the most accessible healthcare providers and are ideally placed to support patients and the families of those diagnosed with a terminal illness. The Daffodil Standards build on the amazing work that community pharmacies already provide, creating a clear, structured approach to palliative and end of life care for the whole pharmacy team. The expertise of the community pharmacy team is then on hand to advise and reassure families when they really need support.”