News

Forbes is the first community to benefit from the new Pharmacists in General Practice pilot program from the WNSW PHN.

Developed to provide specialist medication management services for patients, Forbes Pharmacist Kate Loneragan will be the first of 12 pharmacists working across 10 Western Region General Practices and Aboriginal Medical Services after she commenced at Yoorana Gunya on Thursday last week (Thursday May 29, 2021).

WNSW PHN Acting CEO, Robert Strickland, says the program will be providing benefits to patients, pharmacists, and practices.

“While the program will be delivering the very real advantages of patients having access to a team approach to their care, complimenting their usual practice with additional medication support, it is also a brilliant avenue for pharmacists with the practices involved to express their passion to have a very positive impact on the health outcomes of their patients,” Mr Strickland said.

Kate Loneragan’s work at Yoorana Gunya will be focusing on supporting medication management for patients with Cardiovascular, Respiratory Disease and Diabetes. She will also be concentrating on providing support around smoking cessation within these groups.

Yoorana Gunya CEO, Donna Bliss, says she is excited for the potential impact across all the program pilot sites.

“Kate and the other pharmacists involved will be helping to support busy rural GPs and practice teams and is sure to be instrumental in the development of new skills and experience for all involved,” said Ms Bliss.

She added, “This program will also be providing a vital link in the consistency of patient medication management when care is being administered in the practice, in hospital, or even at home.”

The pilot program will be rolled out across nine more Western Region locations in the coming weeks.