THE Pharmacy Guild of Australia WA Branch President Andrew Ngeow has welcomed the incoming Minister for Health and Mental Health, Meredith Hammat, and Sabine Winton, who has stepped into the newly established role of Minister for Preventative Health.
He also thanked the outgoing Minister for Health, Amber-Jade Sanderson, for her strong commitment to reforming the state's primary healthcare system.
"Minister Sanderson was appointed to the portfolio at a time when Western Australia was under a COVID-induced state of emergency," Ngeow said.
"Despite stepping into the portfolio during this challenging time, she spearheaded reforms which have delivered Western Australians with more accessible, more convenient and more cost-effective healthcare options."
The launch of a free influenza vaccine campaign and expansion of the broader Community Pharmacy Immunisation Program, which now totals 16 vaccines to a patient group starting at five years and older, are among her achievements.
She also worked with the WA Guild to introduce pharmacist treatment of urinary tract infections and pharmacist resupply of oral contraceptive pills.
By 2027, appropriately trained and authorised pharmacists will be able to provide diagnosis and prescribing for a broad range of acute and chronic conditions.
"The availability of immediate primary healthcare through community pharmacy has never been greater, and we thank the Minister for her commitment to patients," Ngeow said.
Meanwhile, the Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA), the country's peak body for public health, has enthusiastically welcomed the establishment of a Minister of Preventative Health as a national first, saying it sends a signal to other jurisdictions that they too can prioritise preventative health at the highest level.
The Labor Government had previously committed to allocating 5% of the state's health budget to preventative health efforts.
"We're pleased that Premier Roger Cook in his unveiling of his Ministry has linked preventative health's capacity to reduce demand in our hospitals over the long term," added PHAA WA Branch President, Ainslie Sartori. KB
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