WHAT’S good for patients is good for community pharmacy.

That’s why I’m a passionate advocate for pharmacists being able to work to the full range of their training and experience.

The ability to consult, diagnose and treat patients will be a real game-changer for our profession and our patients.

Many pharmacists have already started to implement these changes; many more are considering it.

Across the country, we are seeing more state and territory governments recognise the value and importance of community pharmacy.

At the start of the month, NSW permanently expanded the range of services trained pharmacists can provide, and I anticipate more announcements shortly.

The conditions were chosen carefully – they represent the highest volume presentations to emergency departments that cause ambulance ramping, and the highest volume of presentations to General Practice, which means waiting up to four weeks in some areas.

Those who have already begun offering services are reporting more job satisfaction, higher retention of pharmacy staff and improved patient satisfaction.

Now is the time to really start to consider how your patients and your practice can benefit.

I also hear questions from pharmacists across Australia at different stages of their scope journey.

So, in these columns, I’m going to break down how you can go about preparing your pharmacy, pharmacists and pharmacy assistants, and also how to engage with patients about these changes.

I’ll point out where you can go for additional support, and relate my own experience doing the training, investing in infrastructure and technology, and treating patients.

Professor Trent Twomey is the National President of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia.

Send him your questions via scope@guild.org.au

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