16 January 2009

Pharmacists who are involved in providing pharmacy services to remote Aboriginal Health Services are invited to participate in a National Prescribing Service Limited (NPS) program that enhances Quality Use of Medicines in these communities.

NPS first launched the NPS Outreach Pharmacists for Remote Aboriginal Health Service program, which supports pharmacists working with remote Aboriginal communities, in June 2008. This program was initially piloted in the Northern Territory but will now extend to pharmacists across Australia, with workshops scheduled to begin in March 2009.

Participation in the program assists pharmacists to meet the QUM and educational requirements of the contractual agreements with the Aboriginal Health Services.

Involvement in this program consists of:

• Structured training workshops twice yearly consisting of clinical information updates and communication skills development
• Resources to assist pharmacists to meet the educational needs of the staff and clients at the Aboriginal Health Services
• Ongoing support to assist pharmacists in implementing the program in the Aboriginal Health Services, and facilitate inter-professional communication
• Educational sessions to the staff at the Aboriginal Health Services on two therapeutic topics annually
• Participating in teleconferences periodically to feedback on the implementation process
• Provision of a short activity report at the conclusion of each therapeutic topic outlining the reach of the program within the Aboriginal Health Services. The reporting is a component of that required by the Department of Health and Ageing under the s100 support allowance, minimising any additional burden to participants.

“Working with remote communities is often very demanding and isolating. By participating in this program pharmacists will be able to expand their knowledge through continuing education and have an opportunity to network with other pharmacists who work with aboriginal communities, while health services will benefit from the pharmacists’ improved skills,” NPS Education and Quality Assurance Program Manager, Judith Mackson said.

The workshops are free and NPS will cover the costs of participating in the program such as travel to training workshops, background reading materials, workshop materials, teleconference support and other useful resources.

Pharmacists interested in participating in the NPS Outreach Pharmacists for Remote Aboriginal Health Service program, contact Pippa Travers-Mason on (02) 8217 8700.

ENDS

The National Prescribing Service Limited (NPS) is an independent, non-profit organisation for Quality Use of Medicines funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.