Pharmacists integral to ‘Health Care Homes’ primary care program
31 March 2016
A Federal Government primary care program involving a team approach to patients with chronic health conditions should include a central role for pharmacists, according to the peak organisation for pharmacists, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA).
The Government’s new ‘Health Care Homes’ trial – part of the Healthier Medicare package – will coordinate all medical and allied health professionals, including pharmacists, as part of a patient’s tailored care plan.
PSA National President Joe Demarte said pharmacists welcomed the Government’s announcement and supported the concept of a patient-centred Health Care Home, especially for patients with chronic disease.
“Team-based models of primary care have shown to be effective in response to growing health system demands created by increasingly complex patients,” Mr Demarte said.
Mr Demarte said the PSA would welcome discussions with the Federal Government on the inclusion of pharmacists in the trial to help improve patient care.
“PSA has previously highlighted evidence showing pharmacist interventions for consumers with chronic disease improve health outcomes and reduce misuse of medication,” Mr Demarte said.
“Pharmacists are an essential member of the primary health care team for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the health system. Team-based primary care models are correlated with improvements in equity, access and lower costs as well as improvements in population health.”
Mr Demarte said as highly-qualified, accessible health professionals, pharmacists can fulfil healthcare roles within the community, including working with GPs.
“The PSA has recommended having pharmacists co-located in general practice clinics and Aboriginal Health Services to deliver a range of interventions and achieve improved health outcomes and quality use of medicines,” Mr Demarte said.
Noting the Primary Health Care Advisory Group report’s recommendation to refocus the Practice Incentives Programme, Mr Demarte said: “We look forward to developing support mechanisms for the integration of pharmacists in primary care, including through the establishment of a funding model structured similar to existing incentive payments provided for nurses in general practice.”
Awards open to applaud pharmacist excellence
22 March 2016
Nominations are now open for the premier awards for pharmacists in Australia, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) Excellence Awards 2016.
The prestigious Awards recognise and applaud outstanding pharmacists, including the Pharmacist of the Year, Early Career Pharmacist of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Award.
PSA National President Joe Demarte said the PSA Excellence Awards 2016 encouraged all pharmacists to nominate themselves or their peers.
“The Awards represent the profession’s pinnacle achievements with a focus on pharmacists involved in innovative practice, raising practice standards, and providing a model of practice for others to emulate,” Mr Demarte said.
The Pharmacist of the Year, Early Career Pharmacist of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Award winners each receive a Symbion Education Grant valued at $9,000. The grants are possible thanks to the commitment of Symbion supporting the Awards for around 12 years.
Mr Demarte said the long-standing Awards honoured high-achieving pharmacists who have maintained the highest standards of commitment and professionalism in pharmacy. “The Excellence Awards highlight what is great about pharmacy and how pharmacists are striving to make the sector even greater,” Mr Demarte said.
Symbion General Manager Pharmacy Brett Barons said the annual Excellence Awards recognised exceptional individuals in pharmacy who have contributed above and beyond their roles to benefit the entire profession.
“Pharmacists at all levels of the profession and their career are inspired and motivated by the annual Excellence Awards, which helps to ensure innovation and professionalism,” Mr Barons said.
“Having recognition of their expertise and achievements by their peers is one of the major reasons why these Awards are so highly sought after and respected by pharmacists.
“The Awards also provide inspiration for all sectors of the profession to help lift standards even higher and this recognition reflects the exceptional quality of healthcare provided by pharmacists throughout Australia.”
Nominations close on Friday 26 June 2015. The winners will be announced at the PSA16 conference in Sydney in July. Nomination forms: www.psa.org.au/awards/psa-excellence-awards