From 1 October the urinary tract infection (UTI) service has been made a permanent community pharmacy health service in Queensland, a move that Chris Owen, Pharmacy Guild of Australia Queensland Branch, says is a historic advancement within women’s healthcare.
Thanking the Palaszczuk Labor Government, Mr Owen says that “important advancements in healthcare don’t come around by accident”.
“It takes detailed planning, robust evaluation and safety frameworks and courage on behalf of Ministers and Governments to implement,” Mr Owen said.
“The Government should be applauded for their efforts to systematically reform health services in Queensland to give patients great choice and access to world-class services. Community Pharmacists are proud to be at the forefront of advances in women’s health.”
Commencing on 1 October 2022, women in Queensland are now able to access the pharmacy UTI health services permanently.
“This means women won’t have to suffer the painful symptoms of a UTI while waiting for a doctor’s appointment or visiting an emergency department,” Mr Owen said.
“We know from experience the sooner a UTI is diagnosed and treated, the less likely the patient is to experience further complications that may result in hospitalisation.
“It’s now time for other Australian states and territories to follow the leadership shown by the Palaszczuk Labor Government in recognising the scope of community pharmacists and providing the same UTI service for women across Australia,” he said.
Mr Owen says that the UTI pharmacy services are being offered in line with what’s happening in other OECD countries, including England, Wales, New Zealand and Canada.
“There is more that community pharmacists can do to diagnose and treat everyday health conditions, taking pressure off doctor appointments and emergency departments,” he said.
Complimentary UTI training
To support this advancement in community pharmacists’ scope of practice, the Australasian College of Pharmacy (College) is offering Queensland community pharmacists free accredited UTI training and resources through the month of October.
“Our aim is to ensure community pharmacists have access to the latest industry information,” Michelle Bou-Samra, College President, said.
Ms Bou-Samra says that pharmacists who participated in the initial UTI Pilot and who undertook mandatory training as part of that process will receive refresher training and resources “in due course”.
“Queensland community pharmacists who did not participate in the Pilot can now undertake the mandatory training through the College and commence providing this much-needed UTI health service to women in Queensland in accordance with the Extended Practice Authority,” Ms Bou-Samra said.
“The complimentary offer for the mandatory training is expected to increase the 820 community pharmacies currently providing the UTI health service, especially in regional and remote locations where community pharmacies may be the only primary healthcare destination available for patients.
“We hope that the provision of UTI services by community pharmacists expands across Australia, as it is a clear example that community pharmacists can and should provide more primary healthcare services for patients.
“As community pharmacists move towards practising to their full scope, the College will be at the forefront of the education and training required for community pharmacists to competently provide more primary healthcare services for patients,” she said.
Queensland pharmacists are encouraged to enrol in the training before Tuesday 1 November when the complimentary offer will cease.
Visit acp.edu.au to learn more about the UTI service and College training.
