Pharmacists will take on some doctors’ tasks under a controversial plan to allow Victorian patients to see pharmacists for vaccines and chronic diseases such as diabetes and asthma.
Under a trial that has angered doctors, Victorian Health Minister Jill Hennessy said three pharmacies would test a partnership with GPs next year to “help patients manage their chronic illnesses and medications”.
People with high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and those on anti-coagulation therapies can be part of the trial which will involve two rural pharmacies and one in Melbourne.
The idea is that patients will be able to visit their local pharmacist to monitor their conditions and manage medications under the direction of a GP care plan.
It comes as the state government pushes ahead with its plan to create five 24/7 “super pharmacies” next year. It also wants more pharmacists to give flu vaccines from next year and whooping cough vaccines from 2017 under its state-based immunisation scheme.
“The Andrews Labor government understands that pharmacists are trusted health care professionals and that pharmacies can provide a greater range of health services,” Ms Hennessy said.
“Using the skills of highly trained pharmacists to deliver primary care has the potential to support growing demands on our aged care facilities and our hospitals.”
The expansion of pharmacist’s roles has infuriated president of the Victorian branch of the Australian Medical Association, Tony Bartone who said the plan was risky and aimed to substitute the skills of doctors.
“You cannot offer a lesser standard of care without putting the patient at risk. You cannot trade-off the health of Victorians against a false perception of cost-reduction,” said the GP.
“Doctors must remain at the centre of care – not as a second opinion. Going to a pharmacy instead of a GP clinic further risks fragmenting patient care, and may lead to significant health issues being missed.”
Honouring an election commitment, the Victorian Government is opening a tender today for its $28.7 million Super Pharmacies scheme.
It has promised 20 round-the-clock pharmacies before 2018. The pharmacies will have a nurse present between 6pm and 10pm daily to provide basic care, advice and treatment for minor injuries and illnesses.
A government spokeswoman said the services would not replace doctors or the need to visit an emergency department if people need a higher level of care.
“Nurses will assist with non-urgent matters and in the early detection of health concerns. This service will help ease the pressure on hospital staff – allowing doctors and nurses to concentrate on treating the sickest patients presenting in hospital emergency departments,” the spokeswoman said.
Opposition health spokeswoman Mary Wooldridge questioned whether it would take pressure off hospitals, though, and said the government had originally committed to five super pharmacies opening this year.
“There’s no evidence this delayed and ill thought through policy will make one iota of difference for Victorian families trying to access Labor’s clogged hospitals,” she said.
The government says there are more than 1,300 community pharmacies in Victoria. More than 87 per cent of people live within 2.5km of at least one pharmacy, and people visit a pharmacy on average 14 times a year.
“Our new initiatives will expand the role of pharmacists to give families a new option to access convenient and timely health care, when they need it most, closer to home,” Ms Hennessy said.