St Christopher’s Hospice has chosen Ashtons to provide it with medicines and pharmacy services in support of its commitment to offer world-class palliative and end-of-life care to everyone who needs it.
Ashtons is a provider of bespoke digital-first medicines management solutions, dedicated to revolutionising healthcare delivery through innovative digital solutions.
St Christopher’s, widely recognised as the first, modern hospice, was previously supported with pharmaceutical services by an NHS trust.
The move to Ashtons will ensure that it can continue to source medications while accessing specialist audit, advice, and support.
St Christopher’s Hospice has chosen Ashtons to provide it with medicines and pharmacy services
Care Director at St Christopher’s, Amanda Mayo, said: "The supply and regulation of appropriate medications is an important issue for hospices. Our patients can be on complex drug regimes that change rapidly as their conditions change, so our staff need to know that they can draw on expert pharmacy advice when they need it."
"By working with Ashtons, we can be confident of securing the resilient medicines supply and pharmacy service that we need. We are already working closely with Ashtons and feel confident that their staff will soon be effectively embedded in our team."
Palliative Care Ambassador for Ashtons, Lesley Spencer, said: "It is a privilege for Ashtons to be able to work with this world-famous hospice in London. We will be delivering a more resilient service, by making sure they have access to the medicines they need and having more trained staff in place to advise on all aspects of medicines management."
"Ashtons is committed to working in palliative care, so this is also a great opportunity to upskill our pharmacists and spread expertise across our team," Spencer concluded.
The supply and regulation of appropriate medications is an important issue for hospices
Ashtons has its roots in a community pharmacy established in Brighton in 1995. Over 40 years, it has expanded to offer pharmacy services to care homes, mental health hospitals, and hospices.
It now has a team of 60 clinical pharmacists who provide audit and advice services to healthcare organisations, supported by its head office in Brighton.
Its services comprise: medicines supply, medication review, audit and regulatory compliance, and e-learning and training.
Ashtons also has a strong commitment to digital. Customers can access its services through a Virtual Hub while visiting pharmacists report back through Ashton’s Live View, so organisations can see audit information and advice live and in real-time.
It’s all about working with the St Christopher’s team, to make sure they can make the best and safest use of medicines to support the people in their care
Ashtons also provides the e-Works electronic prescribing and medicines administration system to hospices, care homes, mental health facilities, and other organisations that need a modern, cloud-based, EPMA.
Ashtons lead Pharmacist in palliative care, Karen Higlett, said: "We are looking forward to working with St Christopher’s to make sure they get the most out of the holistic package of pharmacy services that we offer."
"We expect to be advising on medicines reconciliation, attending ward handover meetings, supporting discharge, advising on policies, audit and regulatory compliance, and helping staff to develop their own skills," Higlett added.
"It’s all about working with the St Christopher’s team, to make sure they can make the best and safest use of medicines to support the people in their care," Higlett concluded.
Top image: The team at St Christopher’s Hospice