SHPA celebrates win for Tasmanian hospital pharmacists

The Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia (SHPA) is today celebrating a win for hospital pharmacists in Tasmania with the introduction of a new $10,000 allowance to help boost the hospital pharmacist workforce.
The announcement made on Friday by Minister of Health and Wellbeing, Guy Barnett, is affirmation of the value of hospital pharmacists and the important role they play in enhancing patient care and safety.
SHPA President and Executive Director of Statewide Hospital Services Tom Simpson FANZCAP (Lead&Mgmt), says the allowance will go a long way to supporting the highly valued pharmacist workforce which has been impacted by shortages for too long.
‘It’s our patients who are let down the most by workforce shortages.
‘This allowance will be paid to all existing and new pharmacists working across the Tasmanian Health Service to boost the hospital pharmacist workforce so that they can deliver the health outcomes our patients need.
‘I thank the Minister and Tasmanian Government for recognising the value of hospital pharmacists in a tangible way and congratulate them on Friday’s announcement.
‘Through SHPA’s involvement in the Tasmanian Pharmacy Scope of Practice project, we have seen first-hand the Government’s commitment to making best use of our pharmacy professionals. This extends to our valued pharmacy technician workforce through Tasmania’s landmark Bedside Medication Management initiative and, more recently, the Clinical Advanced Pharmacy Technician pilot which sees all pharmacy professionals in Tasmania’s public hospitals able to expand their scope and impact.
‘We look forward to working alongside Minister Barnett to identify other ways to boost the pharmacy workforce to undertake these important initiatives.’
SHPA Tasmanian Branch Chair Kelly Beswick FANZCAP (Lead&Mgmt, RuralHlth) says specialty practice is the cornerstone of hospital pharmacy and is thrilled to see this workforce will now get a boost to help optimise patient care.
‘Hospital pharmacists have unique specialty skills which can and should be harnessed to build stronger healthcare systems and improve patient outcomes.
‘This allowance should mean more hospital pharmacists for Tasmania, which means more patients experiencing the benefits that come from these highly skilled and valued health professionals.’
The new market allowance will be effective from 1 July 2024.