THERAPEUTIC GUIDELINES

Scottish Palliative Care Guidelines are available at: www.palliativecareguidelines.scot.nhs.uk.

The Scottish Palliative Care Guidelines Medicine Information Sheets can be accessed here

Patient information can be accessed here

The palliative care network can be accessed here (intranet accessed required).

The palliative care pharmacy information can be accessed here (intranet access required).

The primary goal of these guidelines is to improve care by minimising inconsistencies in clinical practice through the provision of practical and readily usable, evidence-based or best-practice guidance on a range of common clinical issues. These guidelines have been developed for use by all healthcare professionals involved in the provision of palliative care to those with a life-limiting illness. The guidelines have been produced by collaboration between a multidisciplinary group of professionals working in community, hospital and specialist palliative care services across Scotland’s NHS (including NHS Highland) and third sector organisations.

National guidelines supersede previous local versions of palliative care guidance. The following local guidelines are still in use until replaced by national guidelines.

The local 24-hour Palliative Care advice line can be contacted at Highland Hospice, tel: 01463 243132 (or for internal calls from Raigmore Hospital speed dial 1333, and ask to speak to the Doctor on call).

The Palliative Care Advisory Service (PCAS) in Raigmore Hospital can be contacted by staff for advice 24 hours a day. For referral to PCAS between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday: 1) Obtain consent from the Consultant in charge of the patient’s care. 2) Contact at Raigmore Hospital, tel: 01463 704000. 

The National Dermatology Patient Pathways: http://www.dermatology.nhs.scot/dermatology-pathways/introduction/ should be used in association with drug recommendations and guidance in this section to inform the management of acne, alopecia, atopic eczema, benign skin lesions, generalised and local pruritus, hand and foot eczema, molluscum contagiosum, nail dystrophy, non-melanoma skin cancers, psoriasis, rosacea, scabies, solar (actinic) keratoses and Bowen’s Disease, suspicious pigmented lesions, urticaria, and viral warts. Also refer to the British Association of Dermatologists Clinical Guidelines at www.bad.org.uk.
For use of dermatologicals in children, refer to BNF for Children.