SHPA Support For Pharmacists' Support Service, Australia

Main Category: Pharmacy / Pharmacist
Article Date: 05 Nov 2009 - 2:00 PST

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The Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia has announced financial support for the Pharmacists' Support Service, a dedicated support and counseling service for pharmacists who need assistance.

PSS, which is managed by the Pharmaceutical Society of Victoria, is soon to be made available nationally and in light of this, the SHPA has donated $2000 to assist the service in this transition phase.

PSS has been in operation for 14 years and offers support for pharmacists in times of stress and crisis, ranging from financial problems to situations involving trauma such as hold-ups and the recent bushfires.

Chair of the Pharmacists' Support Service, Michael Scavone, said the SHPA donation of $2000 to the PSS recognised that the service helped pharmacists in all areas of the profession.

"The services PSS conducts are vital and are available equally to pharmacists in all sectors of the profession," Mr Scavone said. "The service is operated 24 hours a day by volunteer pharmacists who have been trained in telephone counselling. "Our volunteers are trained to listen to any problem that pharmacists might encounter and to then help find the most appropriate advice or solution when it is needed. "The volunteers are supported by an extensive and wide-spread network of professional counsellors and support groups to ensure the distressed caller gets the best advice and help available."

Mr Scavone said the SHPA contribution followed that of other professional groups and was indicative of the growing recognition of the importance of such a service. "Quite clearly the service relies on donations and support from groups such as SHPA is appreciated and welcomed," Mr Scavone said.

Mr Scavone said that to facilitate similar donations in the future, PSS has begun proceedings to move to an Incorporated Association and this will facilitate application to the ATO for Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status. "Obtaining DGR status will facilitate the process of making donations to the service and also make such gifts more attractive to those wanting to make them," he said.

Source
Pharmaceutical Society of Australia