With the patient at the centre, PharmCare 2023 opens
Australia’s newest conference for accredited, onsite aged care and GP pharmacists leading patient‑centred care is underway, and the Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia (SHPA) Accredited Pharmacist Directory is now live, as delegates from across healthcare disciplines attending the opening of PharmCare 2023 in Hobart.
The Hon. Jeremy Rockliff MP, Premier of Tasmania, Minister for Health, and Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing welcomed delegates, recognising the specialist pharmacists present at PharmCare 2023 as medicines experts, crucial to safe and effective healthcare delivery across aged care settings, general practice and other team-based care environments.
Premier Rockliff also acknowledged the innovation of the pharmacy sector in Tasmania through the nation-leading Bedside Medication Management project and adoption of Partnered Pharmacist Medication Charting in all Tasmanian hospitals.
The opening session saw the launch of the new SHPA Accredited Pharmacist Directory and the preview of two new tailored education packages, as part of the organisation’s ongoing commitment to supporting accredited, consultant pharmacists.
SHPA President Tom Simpson says while PharmCare is a new event, SHPA’s involvement and leadership in the accredited pharmacist space goes right back to the beginning.
‘We’re proud to be Australia’s only continuously accrediting body.
‘Since the turn of the century SHPA has supported pharmacists in residential aged care and advocated for the creation of appropriate funding streams. Over the last two decades we have seen some progress, such as the introduction of a hospital-referral pathway for Home Medicines Reviews, but we know there is a long way to go.
‘Through initiatives such as PharmCare, SHPA reaffirms its commitment to supporting the unique expertise of Accredited Pharmacists, and the crucial role they play in driving quality use of medicines and medication safety for patients who are at risk of medication-related harm and hospitalisation.’
‘The entire pharmacy profession is excited about the on-site aged care pharmacist program due to begin in 2023, and we are proud to have invited the Department of Health and Aged Care to provide an update on this emerging pharmacy practice area for PharmCare 2023 attendees.’
Mr Simpson says SHPA is proud to be the organisation representing team-based, collaborative medication management across Australia’s health system.
‘I am extremely pleased to see this reflected in our PharmCare 2023 attendees, as we welcome our nursing, medical and allied health colleagues, alongside pharmacists from all professional settings.
‘The two-day PharmCare 2023 program is the first of its kind in Australia, with insights from the cutting ‑edge to support and foster collaboration and innovation at a time of great opportunity for pharmacists working to expand the boundaries of practice.’
SHPA Chief Executive Kristin Michaels says the Accredited Pharmacist Directory fills a gap following changes in the accreditation landscape last year.
‘This was a priority for Australia’s consultant pharmacist community, and we are proud to deliver.
‘SHPA understands that sharing professional information is incredibly important to the business and practice of consultant pharmacists, so we have built the SHPA Accredited Pharmacist Directory with clear, editable information fields and easy-to-use filters.
‘All consultant pharmacists whose accreditation is recognised by SHPA are already on the Directory, and we invite all pharmacists to sign up for a listing, or access free listing via SHPA membership.
‘Our education packages – the Clinical Governance Training Course and Essentials in Residential Aged Care – have been informed by member expertise in partnership with the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, and we thank Dr Melanie Wroth, Chief Clinical Advisor for her contribution.
‘Reflecting the rapidly changing landscape and noting a need for confidence and clarity in the support we provide, SHPA has pulled together our many initiatives under the Accredited Pharmacist Network, our hub of information on accreditation recognition, requirements and renewals, education and awards.’
Listing on the Accredited Pharmacist Directory is free for SHPA members, and free for one year for non‑member PharmCare 2023 delegates.