The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has launched a new national training initiative to help pharmacists across all settings to develop skills in palliative and end-of-life care.
The ASPIRE Palliative Care Foundation Training Program for Pharmacists was officially launched this week at Queensland Parliament House to coincide with National Palliative Care Week (11-17 May) and in the presence of International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) President Paul Sinclair AM FPS.
Developed in partnership with Palliative Care Australia, the free CPD-accredited 8-module program provides pharmacists with foundational training to help them better support patients, families, and carers through the safe and quality use of medicines in palliative care.
The program is backed by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care through the National Palliative Care Grants Program.
‘Opportunities for significant positive impact’
PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS says pharmacists are uniquely positioned to support and care for patients at the end of life.
“Every day pharmacists support patients living with life-limiting illness but our impact can be even broader, with opportunities for us to have a significant positive impact on quality of life, not only for people with palliative care needs, but also for the people who care for them,” she said.
“This isn’t about becoming a palliative care specialist, it’s about building everyday skills in our existing pharmacist workforce that can make a real difference.”
‘Building care capacity across the entire health system’
Camilla Rowland, CEO of Palliative Care Australia, says a foundational understanding of palliative and end-of-life care across the health workforce is essential to meeting community needs.
“Supporting people to live, and die, well means building palliative care capability across the entire health system,” she said.
“That includes pharmacists, often among the first healthcare professional patients and carers turn to for advice.”
How to access the program
The training is available now, free of charge, to all registered pharmacists, intern pharmacists and pharmacy students across Australia.
Visit the ASPIRE Palliative Care Foundation Training Program for more information.
