Thirty community pharmacies located across metropolitan and regional South Australia – including in Berri, Ceduna, Hahndorf, Kangaroo Island (Kingscote), Mount Gambier, Murray Bridge, Naracoorte, Normanville, Nuriootpa, Port Lincoln, and Victor Harbor - are participating in the network.
In addition, the Malinauskas Labor Government-supported 24/7 Pharmacies will also support the network by stocking these core palliative care medicines and making them available around the clock.
At times it may be difficult for those seeking palliative care medicines to locate them at a community pharmacy, as they expire relatively quickly.
The network pharmacies will keep a minimum stock of the core palliative care medicines and provide critical support, information and advice to palliative care patients, their families and carers, and other health professionals.
The Palliative Care Medicines Pharmacy Network will complement existing community pharmacy and health services to better support patients and their carers.
For more information, including a list of participating community pharmacies, visit the SA Health Community Pharmacy initiatives webpage.
This announcement is hot on the heels of the launch of the Palliative Care Connect service, providing information and connecting terminally ill patients and their families with appropriate care and support services.
Palliative Care Connect is funded by the Albanese Government, providing $7.5 million over three years through the SA Palliative Care Navigation Pilot, and is being delivered by the South Australian Government.
Quotes
Attributable to Chris Picton
Palliative care can be a difficult time for both the person going through it and their families and carers.
We are making it easier for South Australians in palliative care to access medication to alleviate pain and stress, and to maintain the best quality of life and comfort they can while in their home surroundings.
This will mean they won’t have to visit a hospital’s emergency department to get access to the medication.
The 30 community pharmacies in the state will improve end of life care for all South Australians.
Attributable to Chief Pharmacist Naomi Burgess
The Palliative Care Medicines Pharmacy Network will enhance access to palliative care medicines in the community providing certainty and support for patients and their families and carers.
Providing access to these critical medicines and support ensures that our patients remain in a comfortable environment, with access to the care they need, is key to reducing anxiety and helping people maintain the best quality of life possible.
Our community pharmacies are proud to play a vital role in providing the best possible health care to South Australians.
Attributable to The Pharmacy Guild of Australia SA Branch state president Nick Panayiaris
The Guild is delighted to be working with the State Government on this exciting initiative. South Australia’s community pharmacies play an integral role in the health and wellbeing of their patients and the general community.
Most will go “above and beyond” to support their patients and being a member of the palliative care medicines network demonstrates this commitment.
Supporting patients who wish to receive their palliative care at home will not only relieve the pressure placed on emergency departments but also relieve some of the stress on patients and their carers.
