Townsville Hospital and Health Service celebrate pill-ars of healthcare on World Pharmacist Day

Townsville Hospital and Health Service has celebrated the indispensable role its medicine dispensing staff played in patient safety, treating health conditions, and making medication for World Pharmacists Day. 

The health service has used today to shine a light on the important work the team does in caring for the community.

Director of pharmacy Dr Kelvin Robertson said it was important to acknowledge the work done by the team.

“Up to 90 per cent of patients who come into the health service receive at least one form of medication during their stay,” Dr Robertson said.

“We dispense more than 150,000 items each year to help patients while they are in hospital and when they go home.

“Our team makes sure accurate medication histories are taken, medications are optimised for the patient, and patients have a medication plan when they leave.”

Assistant director of pharmacy Jenny Veal said pharmacy staff did more than fill prescriptions.

“Pharmacists are one of the most accessible healthcare professionals in the community and in a tertiary hospital setting our scope is very diverse," Ms Veal said.

"We do everything from clinical medication counselling, supply, and distribution to specialised on-site sterile manufacturing, including chemotherapeutic preparations, and clinical trials of new forms of medication.

“Every component is essential to keeping the medication management cycle safe and robust.

"We work closely within a multidisciplinary team alongside doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals.

"Pharmacists ensure the medication therapy is appropriate for the patient’s diagnosis, provide guidance for safe administration, and that medications plans are adapted to meet specific patient requirements and circumstances.

“When all the professions work together patients receive the highest standard of healthcare." 

Dr Robertson said World Pharmacist Day was an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the team's hard work.

“Our department is more than just pharmacists; we have a broad workforce including administration staff, clinical assistants, interns, and students,” he said.

"World Pharmacists Day is an opportunity to recognise the dedication of our entire pharmacy team and their impact on patient outcomes. 

"I’d encourage everyone if they’re going to a chemist today or seeing someone from the pharmacy team at hospital to thank them for their work."