New digital system to help manage medicines for Weldmar patients boosted by Ducks and Drakes Cancer Trust

The Ducks and Drakes Cancer Trust has presented Weldmar Hospicecare with a cheque for £5,000 to help fund a the use of a revolutionary new IT system that ensure safety, efficiency and and cost effectiveness in prescribing medicines.

EPMA – Electronic Prescription and Medicine Administration – will allow Weldmar’s doctors to prescribe medicines at the Inpatient Unit or remotely, whilst being able to see the local availability of medicines in real time.

Ducks and Drakes was founded in 2012 by Andrew Drake, following his diagnosis of bowel cancer at the age of 24, and aims to raise awareness of this condition, specifically in young people aged 18 to 30.

Annette Drake says, “Everyone thinks it’s older people who get bowel cancer, but it isn’t, it can very easily be a youngster so we need to raise awareness for them to get themselves checked at an early age, and not just hope the symptoms will go away. We also give financial support to families whose income may be affected by someone having to go through treatment for bowel cancer. We really want people to know we’re here for that.”

The money was raised by the charity through a number of events including a ball and a clay pigeon shoot, and donations from supporters.

Annette says, “We feel very lucky that people have raised money for us, and very proud to be able to give it to Weldmar. Andrew was looked after so well at the hospice, and it enabled him to spend more time with his family. I think he gave the nurses the run around! But what they did for him, we need to give back, and that’s what we do.”

Pictured above: Rebecca Drake, Jane Weedon, and Annette Drake from Ducks and Drakes Cancer Trust, with Weldmar’s Senior Sister Emma Mills, and Trusts and Foundations Fundraiser Matt Lloyd.