Community pharmacies across Tasmania are joining forces with local GPs and the Department of Health to help support palliative care patients who choose to stay at home receive care and medicine in a comfortable, familiar environment.
Pharmacists and GPs will receive training in the prescribing and dispensing of essential palliative medicines from the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, made possible through $135,000 in funding from the Rockliff Liberal Government to ensure safety and quality.
We are also offering one-off incentive payments of $200 for pharmacies to participate in the program which will assist them in the purchase of core medicines.
Minister for Health, Guy Barnett, said the service would provide valuable additional support to patients, families and health care professionals working in the community.
“This program is designed to support more Tasmanians and their loved ones with the specialist care they deserve and enable them to stay in the comfortable environment of their own residence while managing life-limiting illnesses,” said Minister Barnett.
“The service will also increase the specialist support available to Tasmanians and in doing so help to avoid unnecessary hospital attendances”.
Pharmaceutical Society of Australia Tasmanian President David Peachey MPS said the joint approach demonstrated a commitment to improving palliative care for all Tasmanians.
“The Tasmanian Branch of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia is proud to be a part of this innovative program to improve services and support for palliative care patients within our community,” Mr Peachey said.
“Pharmacies across Tasmania are embracing this program with a focus on providing patients with support and care within their homes,” said Pharmacy Guild of Australia Tasmanian President Helen O’Byrne.
“With our pharmacies embedded within communities around Tasmania, this program is another opportunity to provide care and support to patients in need.’’
Primary Health Tasmania (Tasmania PHN) has been working alongside the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia to support this Rockliff Liberal Government initiative by running education events for GPs, and by increasing awareness among primary healthcare professionals.
“Often people who want to die at home can’t do so – this can be for a range of reasons, including not having access to suitable support,” Primary Health Tasmania spokesperson Suezanne Horder said.
“This initiative will remove one of these support barriers and help GPs provide even better care to their patients who are at the end of their life and want to receive care at home.”
The Palliative Care Prepared Pharmacy program is another example of the Rockliff Liberal Government’s commitment to enhanced care delivered in the community, detailed in the Long-Term Plan for Healthcare in Tasmanian 2040, and made possible by the Government’s $6.8 million investment into palliative care partnerships.
Patients and their carers can visit the Pharmacy Guild of Australia website, findapharmacy.com.au, to locate their nearest palliative-prepared pharmacy rather than having to shop around.