THE Pharmacy Guild's Tasmanian branch President, Helen O'Byrne (pictured) wants to see several positive recommendations as the state heads into the Review of Pharmacists' Scope of Practice (PD 03 Jan).
"We hope to see a raft of positive recommendations included when the Review's final report is released, due out in the middle of this year.
"The Guild stands ready to work with the Tasmanian Government to ensure any changes in legislation are underpinned by rigorous education and training for pharmacists," said O'Byrne, bolstered by comments from Premier Jeremy Rockliff in support of the increased role pharmacists can play in the State's healthcare system at the National Cabinet meeting focused on Medicare reform last week (PD 06 Feb).
O'Byrne said that to ensure that the pharmacist workforce is mobile across Australia, pharmacists' scope of practice should be harmonised across all States and Territories.
"We don't want pharmacists in Tasmania to feel that their professional opportunities in clinical practice are out of step with what is being achieved in Queensland or Victoria.
"That could result in a potentially greater workforce deficit in this State if pharmacists are unable to apply their skills in their chosen location," she explained.
The Ernst & Young report into the Pharmacists' Scope of Practice commissioned by the Guild it says not only demonstrates potential savings across the healthcare system but also productivity gains across the broader community if pharmacists are able to treat a range of conditions, including minor ailments, medication continuance and point of care testing.
The Guild will provide the Report to the Tasmanian Review, along with international examples.
O'Byrne said that the Guild in Tasmania agrees with the Federal Health Minister Mark Butler's comments that at a time of workforce constraints, "it doesn't make sense...not to have every healthcare professional work to the top of their scope of practice".
O'Byrne added that "our members are excited by the potential opportunities the Review of Scope of Practice will provide pharmacists to work together with other healthcare professionals to assist our patients to achieve positive health outcomes".
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