OUTGOING NSW Health Minister, Brad Hazzard, is being praised by pharmacy bodies for supporting the profession throughout his time in the portfolio, following the announcement that he will not contest next Mar's State election (PD 25 Oct).
Paying tribute to Hazzard's 32-year career in politics, Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) NSW Branch President, Chelsea Felkai, told Pharmacy Daily that the Minister had made a significant contribution to extending pharmacists' scope of practice within the State.
"The entire healthcare sector thanks Minister the Hon. Brad Hazzard for his service to NSW over more than three decades," she said.
"Minister Hazzard was front and centre during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, leading the health community during an extremely difficult time.
"Minister Hazzard has always lent an open ear to pharmacists and empowered the profession to practice to our top of scope, where he was a strong advocate for pharmacists to be involved in the COVID-19 vaccination rollout.
"We wish Minister Hazzard all the best for the future and look forward to continuing working with him and his successor over the coming months."
Pharmacy Guild of Australia NSW Branch President, David Heffernan, also acknowledged Hazzard's efforts throughout his time in office.
"In his long tenure as Minister for Health, Minister Hazzard demonstrated time and time again his recognition of the crucial role that pharmacists play in securing better health outcome for patients," Heffernan said.
"From helping deliver eight-and-a-half million COVID-19 vaccines to helping to ensure quality patient care during two years of difficult lockdowns, the partnership between community pharmacists and the government during the COVID-19 pandemic was vital to keeping people in NSW safe."
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 26 Oct 22
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