Pharmacist supplementary prescribing in oncology highlighted
A multidisciplinary oncology team, which includes a pharmacist supplementary prescriber, has been praised this week at the first P5 Excellence in Oncology Awards, organised by the British Oncological Association.
The team, from Velindre Cancer Centre, Cardiff, and led by consultant
clinical oncologist Peter Barrett-Lee, was highly commended in the oncology
team of the year category for its reduction in clinic waiting times for
breast cancer patients.
Sian Evans, supplementary prescriber and chief pharmacist at Velindre
Hospital, works with a specialist nurse supplementary prescriber in a
clinic that runs alongside the main consultant clinic. She explained: “We
see some of the patients with early breast cancer whose treatments are
already decided. We monitor their treatment and do the prescribing of
chemotherapy and supportive medicines.”
Ms Evans said that she qualified as a supplementary prescriber at the
end of 2004 and has been working in that capacity since the beginning
of 2005 — her time working in the oncology clinic is funded by
the hospital.
“We have done a satisfaction survey and there has been excellent
feedback from patients and staff,” she said.
Ms Evans said that the supplementary prescriber model works well in oncology. “Oncology
is very protocol driven. It is clear what you have to do at each stage
of treament,” she added. |
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