The appointment of the Hon Dr David Gillespie MP as Minister for Regional Health has been welcomed by the Pharmacy Guild of Australia and the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA).
“Health professionals, and in particular community pharmacists, face added pressures in meeting the health needs of their communities in regional, rural and remote Australia,” says National President of the Guild, Trent Twomey, congratulating Dr Gillespie on his appointment.
“Dr Gillespie brings his previous experience as Assistant Minister for Rural Health and Assistant Minister for Health to his new portfolio and this understanding of the needs of these communities will be invaluable.
“The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the needs of these patients and where some of the gaps are in providing care.
“We look forward to working closely with Dr Gillespie, especially in showing how community pharmacists working to their full scope of practice can help fill gaps in care and improve the wellbeing of these patients,” he says.
PSA National President, Associate Professor Chris Freeman also welcomes Dr Gillespie back to the portfolio, while extending gratitude to outgoing Minister, Hon Mark Coulton MP for his exceptional service to regional Australia.
“PSA congratulates Dr Gillespie on his appointment as Minister for Regional Health. His experience in the portfolio, and as a clinician, will help drive innovation in the portfolio.
“PSA looks forward to working with him to improve health care and health outcomes for people in regional Australia.
“PSA acknowledges Minister Coulton’s contributions to our health system, and to the many communities in remote and rural Australia throughout his time in this portfolio – as well as his leadership throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and vaccine rollout.
“We are pleased that he will remain an active member of Federal Parliament.”
Adjunct Professor Twomey also thanks Minister Coulton for his commitment in the role: “Mark Coulton has held the portfolio during a particularly difficult period and was unwavering in his desire to achieve the best possible health outcomes for everyone in regional, rural, and remote Australia.
“We enjoyed a strong and constructive relationship with him, and I welcome his ongoing contribution as a Member of Parliament.”
