Integration Provides Better Health Outcomes - Pharmaceutical Society Of Australia

Main Category: Pharmacy / Pharmacist
Also Included In: Public Health;  Primary Care / General Practice
Article Date: 11 Mar 2010 - 1:00 PST

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The Government's new hospital funding package is a welcome first step in the health reform process, but will be better served when complemented through implementation of a preventive health strategy to help minimise hospitalisations, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia says.

National President of the PSA, Warwick Plunkett, said the Government's announcement that it will take full policy and funding responsibility for GP and primary health-care services in Australia is promising but there should be a more integrated approach which is focussed on reducing the need for hospitalisations.

"The Government is rightly looking at ways to ensure the health system in Australia remains sustainable in the face of a growing ageing population and increased incidence of chronic disease," Mr Plunkett said.

"But PSA believes the announced approach does not adequately look at preventing illness and maintaining the wellbeing of consumers to try to avoid hospital admissions. Hospital admissions should always be regarded as measures of last resort and there are significant opportunities in the Government's strategy for pharmacy to provide professional services aimed at helping to prevent hospitalisations. We know that 30% of all hospital admissions of the elderly come from medicine-related problems - more than half of which are preventable by pharmacist intervention.

"PSA advocates increased emphasis on self care and professional services by Pharmacy as part of the primary health-care team.

"For its part, the provision of professional services by pharmacy is fundamental to the successful and sustainable implementation of an efficient and workable preventive health system in Australia.

"The infrastructure of community pharmacy is in place and available to ensure the preventive health measures the Government decides upon can be implemented quickly and efficiently across the whole country."

Mr Plunkett said PSA notes the Government's announcement is focussed on doctors and is very hospital-centric which seemingly sidelines the Government's own views that the health system has to be more holistic and adopt a multi-disciplinary approach.

"For example, funding of training for health professionals and the Rural Incentive Scheme should include pharmacists," Mr Plunkett said.

"There may also the danger of added bureaucracy being built into the system under the funding package and PSA would urge the Government to ensure its new measures for federal policy are indeed practical for regional implementation. The governance arrangements must enable cost-effective delivery of services."

Source
Pharmaceutical Society of Australia