Sussan Ley hoping for feedback on pharmacy in Australia from 40,000 consumers.
Health minister Sussan Ley says the consumer survey to be conducted by the Consumer Health Forum as part of the Review of Pharmacy Remuneration and Regulation (PD yesterday) will be a key part of the process.
Speaking after her keynote address to the PSA 2016 conference in Sydney this morning, Ley said “it’s the consumer who must be at the centre – that’s why the survey that’s part of this discussion paper process is going to be so important to me”.
She said the review is not about “change for changes’ sake…but if we can improve the system we should,” citing last year’s Health Department consumer survey about private health insurance which garnered more than 40,000 responses. “Wouldn’t it be fantastic if we got that sort of feedback,” she enthused.
Ley said the survey will “allow Australians to tell me about their experiences interacting with pharmacy – what’s working well and what could be improved, and the programs and services being delivered that are the most important to consumers”.
She also urged the pharmacy sector to take part in the process, and committed to making the final report from the review public once it is finalised next year.
During her address Ley spoke about the Pharmacy Trial process, which has three pilots approved and is set for further consultation, with 108 ideas submitted so far. “Every pharmacist I speak to has some ideas,” she said, urging the industry to be ready to come forward with further initiatives – particularly around aged care. She said pharmacists would also play a key role in the government’s health system reforms including the Health Care Home plan which revamps care arrangements for those with chronic conditions.
MEANWHILE the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia presented its 2016 Excellence Awards in the opening session. Erin Nunan was named Early Career Pharmacist of the Year; Noel Fosbery won the Pharmacist of the Year award; and Con Peoples received the Lifetime Achievement Award.
PSA executive director Lance Emerson confirmed the organisation would release details of a new pharmacist Career Paths initiative on Sunday, along with a comprehensive new CPD planning tool.
Check out photos from PSA 16 at https://www.facebook.com/pharmacydaily/photos/?tab=album&album_id=10153858006461588
More from the PSA conference in Monday’s issue of Pharmacy Daily.
