SHPA Vic policy push

THE Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia has identified a number of key policy priorities in the lead-up to the Vic state election on 24 Nov.

Politicians from all sides are being urged to implement changes that will improve hospital pharmacy service provision and patient care.

Key issues highlighted include continued support for the implementation of electronic medication management (eMM) systems for Vic public hospitals, as well as investment in opioid stewardship services in all state hospitals with surgical facilities to address the opioid crisis.

SHPA is also urging support for further workforce innovation in clinical pharmacy, as well as the provision of clinical pharmacy services across seven days and in emergency departments.

Pharmacist expertise in medicines should also be recognised by involvement in health care reform in the state, SHPA said.

CEO Krstin Michaels particularly highlighted the fragmented implementation of eMMs.

“Rolling out partial coverage, or running parallel online and paper-based medical records limits the ability of an integrated eMM system to reduce prescribing and dispensing errors,” she said.

More detail at shpa.org.au.