SHPA residency expands

MORE Australian hospitals have decided to seek accreditation to host Foundation Residents through the Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia (SHPA) Residency Program in 2018, growing the program by seven sites in the new year.

SHPA chief executive Kristin Michaels says the addition of nine programs at private and public sites in metropolitan and rural/ regional locations, to programs across 30 sites already accredited to deliver Australia’s first structured and formalised hospital pharmacy residency program, reflects the quality of practice and diverse capabilities of departments across the country.

“After rigorous evaluation against the SHPA Residency Accreditation Standards, we are pleased to credential seven new sites, and two sites who first applied in 2016,” Michaels said.

“Coupled with the consolidation of three programs in South Australia, we have a 37-site program in 2018 that will be complemented, from 2019, by Advanced Training Residencies that are currently in development. “The quality and innovation on display across all applications was excellent, as was the willingness of sites to respond to feedback, supplying additional information throughout the evaluation process so they could coordinate and support future residents.”

Michaels added that supporting more residents to gain hands-on experience while strengthening the cumulative skill set of Australian pharmacy departments is part of SHPA’s vision to embed the Residency Program as an integral development stage for hospital pharmacists across country.

In addition, Michaels said four private hospitals were now accredited to deliver SHPA Foundation Residencies.

Access a list of accredited residency sites at shpa.org.au.