January 21, 2015
PSA releases revised immunisation guidelines
The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia has released its revised immunisation guidelines to reflect the growing movement among State and Territory Governments to allow pharmacist-delivered vaccinations.
The revised guidelines focus on the pharmacist being the immuniser and they promote best practice in the delivery of high-quality immunisation services in pharmacies.
National President of PSA, Grant Kardachi, said the PSA’s revised Practice guidelines for the provision of immunisation services within pharmacy were developed to assist pharmacists in providing vaccinations to increase immunisation rates in the community. The guidelines are an important resource for pharmacists involved in this health initiative.
“PSA been a leader in advocating that pharmacists be allowed to deliver immunisations and the success of the immunisation trial in Queensland has led to other jurisdictions across Australia moving towards this model,” Mr Kardachi said.
“In Queensland some 10,000 people were vaccinated during the trial, and many of these indicated they would not have been vaccinated if this service was not available.
“Already Western Australia and the Northern Territory have legislated in this area and other States have signalled they are likely to follow suit.
“This is a very positive development for health delivery in Australia and will help to vaccinate cohorts of the community who previously would not have been vaccinated.”
The revised guidelines were released last night at a special workshop held at the PSA WA Branch, and available by webinar, where the clinical aspects and regulatory issues for pharmacists administering the influenza vaccination were examined.
“These new guidelines promote specific policies and protocols designed to ensure safe and effective channels of communication between healthcare providers. PSA supports immunisation as both a public health program and as a means of managing an individual’s health,” Mr Kardachi said.
The guidelines are available at http://www.psa.org.au/archives/21565
19 January 2015
seeking feedback on review of competency standards for pharmacists
The pharmacy profession’s competency standards are being reviewed through the Pharmacy Practitioner Development Committee (PPDC), a profession-wide collaborative forum of 11 pharmacy organisations.
Late last year the PPDC appointed the Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association (AHHA) to undertake work to help inform the review of the National competency standards framework for pharmacists in Australia.
To date, the AHHA has completed background research and literature review focussing on the current competency standards landscape as well as evolution and recent advancement in health professional competency standards.
A consultation paper has been released and national consultation with pharmacists, other health professions, consumers, academics, government departments and other health bodies is currently under way through online surveys, interviews with selected individuals, written submissions and stakeholder consultation forums.
The pharmacists’ competency standards framework is regarded as a dynamic document and is subject to regular review. The competency standards need to support professional pharmacy practice and growth, in the interests of public safety, and should reflect current and future needs of Australian health care consumers.
The PPDC is keen to engage with as many stakeholders as possible. Separate tailored surveys have been designed to receive feedback from pharmacists, pharmacy organisations and non-pharmacy health organisations or individuals.
Relevant documents and links can be accessed at:
https://ahha.asn.au/pharmacy-competency-framework-consultation
Please note the surveys will close on 30 January 2015 and we invite everyone to provide input.
There is also opportunity to provide feedback at a consultation workshop. Two forums are being held: Gold Coast on 29 January 2015 (in conjunction with the National Australian Pharmacy Students’ Association (NAPSA) Congress) and in Canberra on 6 February 2015.
If you are interested in attending, please register at:
Gold Coast forum – https://ahha.asn.au/events/pharmacy-competency-standards-consultation-gold-coast
Canberra forum – https://ahha.asn.au/events/pharmacy-competency-standards-consultation-canberra