A fourth 24-hour pharmacy in South Australia is a step closer to reality, with the State Government opening submissions of interest to community pharmacies in Adelaide's outer southern suburbs.
First announced in Nov last year (PD 05 Nov 2024), the move is set to provide South Australians with even more access to round-the-clock healthcare, with timely medicines and advice available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including public holidays.
More than 170,000 people visited the existing three 24/7 pharmacies - Salisbury Plain Chemist Warehouse, Clovelly Park Chemist Warehouse and National Pharmacies at Norwood - during the extended opening hours since they began in Feb and Mar last year (PD 05 Feb 2024).
Combined, the three pharmacies have dispensed more than 69,000 scripts during the additional opening hours and provided advice on more than 7,000 phone calls.
SA Health Chief Pharmacist Naomi Burgess said, "the success of the 24/7 pharmacies in South Australia is clear so we are pleased to be progressing to the next stage of introducing a fourth location".
"The 24/7 pharmacies provide the community with access to medicines, expert advice and a range of services from a pharmacist round the clock, often providing care when other health professionals are not available.
"This 24/7 service offers peace of mind for people while helping to reduce demand on our busy emergency departments."
According to customer feedback, around 20% of customers would have visited an emergency department if the 24/7 pharmacy was not available.
Applications from eligible pharmacies in the suburbs of Hallett Cove, Sheidow Park and Trott Park to become the fourth 24/7 pharmacy in SA close on 30 Jan 2025 at 2.00pm (ACDST). JM
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