PHARMACISTS need to be empowered to play a greater role in the delivery of primary healthcare services in rural areas to ease GPs' workloads, Pharmacy Guild of Australia NSW Branch President, David Heffernan, believes.
In an opinion piece published in The Land on Sun, Heffernan noted that patients in some parts of rural NSW have been forced to wait more than six weeks for an appointment to see their GP, due to workforce shortages.
"Patients shouldn't have to wait days or even weeks to access something like a travel vaccination, cholesterol test or to treat a simple skin infection," he said.
"An asthma attack doesn't wait for a GP appointment, a urinary tract infection doesn't wait for a GP appointment.
"These are common, manageable health conditions that could be safely delegated to well-trained local pharmacists with appropriate training.
"Enabling pharmacists to provide everyday health services is an obvious, practical step that can be taken to give quicker access to healthcare support now.
"We are not talking about pharmacists taking on major diagnostic work.
"We are talking about routine health care like administering the full range of vaccinations, travel medicine, antivirals, or conducting flu screening.
"This will free up GPs to deal with more complex issues.
"Queensland has already recognised this by permanently offering treatment of urinary tract infections at community pharmacies. The pharmacist follows the same protocol as a GP and the program was supported by both sides of politics.
"The health system has some complex challenges and there will be a range of measures needed.
"Regional community pharmacies are ready to be part of the solution."
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 09 Nov 22
To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 09 Nov 22
