INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

For more than ten years, Central Homecare has built an enviable reputation as a high quality provider of 'high-tech' home care services in the UK.

Over time our experience and expertise has opened up many opportunities which have lead to Central now being able to offer a wide range of other services and specialities, including specialist distributor of a range of ambulatory infusion systems, medical equipment (including a wide range of consumable items) and as a specialist drug wholesaler. We also offer an aseptic drug compounding service and have established long term relationships with several innovative pharmaceutical companies to provide added value to their drug portfolios.

Central now offers on-line pharmacy services, enabling patients to have their prescription drugs delivered to home. For example, patients receiving Genotropin^® somatotropin(rbe) from their GP can now access the service simply by sending their FP10 prescriptions directly to Central Homecare.

The company's main objective is to make the administration of drugs at home as simple and stress free as possible. The patient receives everything they require to conduct their therapy, tailored to both their specific needs as well as those of their clinician. Some of the conditions we manage at home include cystic fibrosis, nutrition, cancer, rheumatology, pain and endocrine disorders.

Patients can enjoy the freedom of managing their therapy from the comfort of their own homes and enjoy:

• More convenience
• Less travel time / less interruption to their work or education / less personal expense (with our service the patient has no need to collect their drugs from either their hospital or local pharmacy)
• Improved quality of life
• Greater flexibility when on holiday (e.g. deliveries to alternate locations)
• Not having to worry about the disposal of clinical waste
• Access to Central Homecare's 24 hour/day, 365 day/year patient helpline

For hospitals or GPs, benefits include:

• Access to value-added services such as consumables and clinical waste collection, often at no additional cost
• Reduced drug wastage
• Potentially improved drug compliance via our patient monitoring service
• Potentially improved therapeutic outcomes
• Continuity of therapy for patients
• Prescription reminder service
• Freeing up valuable NHS resources
• Potential reduction in bed blocking (in hospitals)
• Potential reduction in waiting lists

Below we have presented an example of one home therapy to illustrate how our services can benefit both patients and clinicians. For more details of all our services please refer to our website www.centralhomecare.co.uk.

RHEUMATOLOGY

Many patients with rheumatoid arthritis in the UK are now benefiting from the use of subcutaneous methotrexate either alone or in combination with anti-TNFα's.

Until recently the only injectable methotrexate product available to patients was a 25mg/mL solution, manufactured as a 'Special'. Now Metoject, the first methotrexate syringe licensed for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, is available as a 10mg/mL pre-filled syringe in five discreet doses – 7.5, 10, 15, 20 and 25mg.

The Royal College of Nursing has recently published a guidance document entitled 'Administering subcutaneous methotrexate for inflammatory arthritis'. The Commission for Health Improvement expects NHS staff to use this guidance to shape the delivery of care to its patients.

The RCN document highlights the following key messages:

• Use pre-dosed, pre-filled syringes of methotrexate
• Use the subcutaneous route of drug administration
• Introduce risk management policies to reduce the potential risks associated with spillages
• Ensure patients are fully informed about methotrexate therapy so that they can make informed decisions
• Ensure the provision of appropriate protective equipment to facilitate safe drug administration, for both carers and patients.
• Ensure the implementation of an effective clinical waste collection policy

Our home rheumatology service meets all the requirements of the RCN guidelines and can include the provision of a comprehensive range of anti-TNFα drugs.

Central Homecare Limited
Unit 6 Grove Park
Mill Lane
Alton
Hampshire GU34 2QG

Tel: 01420-543400
Fax: 01420-544588
Email: info@centralhomecare.co.uk
Web: www.centralhomecare.co.uk

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