PP13 ‘Just in case’ medicines use by ambulance paramedics responding to end-of-life care in the community: a multi-methods study of the experiences of paramedics, doctors, family and carers (RELIEF)

<h3>Background</h3> At the end of life, anticipatory or ‘Just In Case’ (JIC) medicines may help ease patients’ symptoms. For patients receiving palliative care at home, JIC medications may be prescribed and available for use by community-based staff or trained informal carers. Sometimes, emergency ambulances attend patients for whom JIC medications have not been prescribed. A Welsh Ambulance Service (WAST) JIC intervention was launched in May 2020, in response to the pandemic, to enable ambulance paramedics to administer JIC medications to patients. The ambulance JIC intervention is now a permanent feature of WAST prehospital care but has received limited evaluation. <h3>Methods</h3> This study will explore the rationale, usage, costs and views of stakeholders of the Welsh Ambulance Service JIC medicines intervention. Multiple methods study that will: Prepare a detailed description of the WAST JIC medicines intervention and its rationale. Explore by interview, the experiences of up to 20 paramedics and 8 doctors that have provided the intervention, and, up to 10 paid carers and 10 informal carers that were present during the care episode. Paramedic focus group for those that have not administered the intervention. Analysis of routine ambulance records to estimate service delivery costs and savings associated with the intervention and hospital avoidance. <h3>Results</h3> No results yet. <h3>Conclusion</h3> This study, which focuses on voices of patient advocates and practitioners, has the potential to shape future provision of this and similar services in WAST and other care providers. It examines an important area of evolving practice, in the developing role of emergency ambulance services, as responsive care providers in the community.