Carer Friendly Pharmacy Project

[wendy]

Carer Friendly Pharmacy Project

The Carer-friendly Pharmacy Pilot, which ended in February 2015, was part of a programme of work funded by the Department of Health in its implementation of the National Carers Strategy through the ‘Supporting Carers in Primary Care Programme’.

What makes a pharmacy 'carer-friendly'?

Generally it means that staff are trained to be carer aware, sensitive to carers’ needs and the challenges they face and are confident in engaging with and supporting carers and most importantly refer carers to getting the right information and advice.

Norfolk Pilot

After discussions between the Carers Trust and the Carers Agency Partnership and the Local Pharmaceutical Committee and the Carers Council for Norfolk and the Young Adult Carers Forum Norfolk it was agreed to hold an initial workshop to explore how the model developed nationally could be used in Norfolk.

On 7th February representatives from the organisations above and Boots Pharmacy agreed to work together to run a Carer Friendly Pharmacy project in Norfolk. It was also agreed that young adult carers would like to co-deliver the whole training session to pharmacy staff and adult carers agreed to assist with a more bespoke or specific area of the training.

The main purpose of the Norfolk Pilot is to:

* involve carers in the delivery of the training to pharmacies in 3 geographical areas in Norfolk (King’s Lynn, Great Yarmouth and Norwich);

* share the learning from this Norfolk pilot so that the national programme can improved, and

* discuss and explore how we can work in partnership with pharmacies and our Clinical Commissioning Group partners to improve the lives of carers in Norfolk.

Stage I: Train the Trainers for carers

The role of the carer is to share with pharmacy staff what the impact is of being a carer (what is it really like).

The first stage is to hold ‘train the trainers’ sessions for carers (maximum 4 carers in each area) and as project partner the Carers Council for Norfolk is inviting carers who are interested in being part of the training session for pharmacy staff to take part in the ‘Train the Trainers’.

What is involved?

At the end of each Train the Trainers session we will decide together which 2 carers are most interested. This does not mean the others are wasting their time because we will very likely continue once this pilot is finished.

The ‘Train the Trainers sessions takes place on the following dates:

Train the Trainers sessions

Where Date Time Venue

King’s Lynn 23 Feb 10.30 – 13.00 Professional Development Centre

Great Yarmouth 22 Feb 10.30 – 13.00 Kings Centre

Norwich 1 March 10.30 – 13.00 Costessey Centre

(A separate ‘Train the Trainers’ session for young adult carers will be delivered.)

If you are keen to be involved and deliver a specific aspect of the training to pharmacy staff and want to attend a Train the Trainers session in your area please contact Kevin Vaughan by email: kevin.vaughan@carersagencypartnership.org.uk: please state clearly your full address details, contact details and the date you want to attend.

IMPORTANT NOTE: the delivery of the Carer Friendly Pharmacy Training takes place during an evening, make sure that before you commit that you are also available on the date of the actual delivery of training in your area, see list below!

Stage II: Delivery of Carer Friendly Pharmacy Training

The Local Pharmacy Committee is working with 5 pharmacies in each of the above areas and has invited them to the Carer Friendly Pharmacy Training on the following dates:

Where Date Time Venue

Norwich 11 April 7.00 – 9.30 (light snacks and refreshments from 6.30) To be confirmed

Kings Lynn 4th May 7.00 – 9.30 (light snacks and refreshments from 6.30) To be confirmed

Yarmouth 9 May 7.00 – 9.30 (light snacks and refreshments from 6.30) To be confirmed

[annie]

Sounds good