Community pharmacists could take pressure off hospital emergency departments

Community pharmacist could take the pressure of Queensland hospital emergency departments and treat patients presenting with minor ailments, the Pharmacy Guild said today.

Trent Twomey, Queensland Branch President of The Pharmacy Guild of Australia, said media reports that Queenslanders presented to emergency rooms for assistance with minor ailments was a worrying trend.

“This report highlights the trend that consumers are disinclined to see a GP for minor ailments due to excessive costs and long waiting times associated with a GP visit.

“There has always been strong support for pharmacists to be the first port of call for minor ailments – it’s based on the trust in which pharmacists are held, and on their professional and ethical standards,” Mr Twomey said.

Mr Twomey, who is also the Senior National Vice President of The Guild, said expanding the scope of pharmacists – currently being considered by a Queensland parliamentary inquiry – would deliver significant gains for the state’s health system.

Mr Twomey said the change could be introduced alongside the establishment of an independent Pharmacy Council to ensure the current system of pharmacy ownership was even more transparent and protected standards of health care.

“Both measures are the subject of the current parliamentary inquiry – together these changes would bring many benefits for Queenslanders and the health system that they rely on,” Mr Twomey said.

“Community pharmacies were highly accessible in terms of their opening hours and locations and stood ready to broaden their scope of practice to deliver even better value to local communities.“

Previous research has found extending the scope of practice would allow pharmacists to provide much needed services to patients, working with doctors and other health professionals, by:

• providing wider delivery of Dose Administration Aids to enhance medicine adherence, particularly for aged Australians
• delivering a structured system of medicine reconciliation post-discharge
• continuing to dispense for stable long-term conditions
• supporting home delivery services.

“We know this would also substantially reduce costs on the public health system and improve access to health care, especially in regional and remote parts of Queensland.

“The Guild looks forward to working with the inquiry and all Queensland MPs to provide the best care for all Queenslanders by supporting a community pharmacy network that continues to put patients first,” Mr Twomey said.