It is recognised that some patients require urgent access to palliative care drugs when in their home environment to manage pain, breathlessness, terminal restlessness, nausea and vomiting and respiratory tract secretions.
In order to prevent delays in receiving medication and unnecessary admissions the Hampshire Hospitals Palliative Care Service recommends the use of anticipatory prescribing.
The medications recommended are those most commonly used, individualised prescribing may be needed. It will require a doctor to prescribe them and to complete a community prescription sheet. Please see just in case algorithams for advice on managing common symptoms and drug dosage.
Advice regarding alternative opioids is available from the opioid conversion chart or from the HHPCS.
Advice can be sought from the Palliative Care team on 01256 314729 Monday to Saturday 08.30-16.30 or out of hours via St Michaels Hospice on 01256 844744 or The Countess of Brecknock Hospice 01264 835288.
