In health and aged care, appropriate, safe and effective medication administration depends on a partnership approach.
Effective implementation of the major changes to the role of pharmacists in aged care depends on information and consultation. Across research, policy and practice, we need to work together to:
- Ensure that pharmacists receive a supportive welcome and effective integration into the care team
- Educate residential aged care staff on the role and value of on-site pharmacists, and to clarify each team member’s role and responsibilities
- Support pharmacists to understand the aged care setting and how to best engage with the multi-disciplinary care team, including personal carers, nurses, doctors and lifestyle staff
This event brings together stakeholders to discuss the opportunities and challenges of the pharmacist role in residential and community care. Come along to:
- Learn about and share ways to improve pharmacy services in different care settings, including during major transitions
- Share ways to connect research, policy and practice in this rapidly changing specialty area
Hear from our speakers:
Dr Amy Page
Senior Research Fellow at The University of Western Australia
Chair of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia’s Victorian branch
Dr Amy Page is a consultant pharmacist and biostatistician who is a NHMRC Early Career Fellow at the WA Centre for Health & Ageing. Amy's research interests primarily relate to medicines safety and the quality use of medicines for older people, particularly those with dementia or chronic diseases or using polypharmacy. She has received over $3.5 million in research funding and published over 120 articles including more than 80 peer reviewed papers. She has presented on medicine safety and the quality use of medicines for older people nationally and internationally. Her research is frequently profiled in the professional and lay media.
Kate Fulford
Clinical Pharmacist and Health Service Design Lead, Silverchain
Kate is an experienced pharmacist with an interest in optimising medication usage in vulnerable populations, including those living on the margins, older people, people living with dementia and First Nations people. Kate has a breadth of experience across the health care system; working in hospital, general practice, homeless health care, aged care, Aboriginal health and academia. She has experience in implementing several health transformation projects aimed at delivering high quality healthcare in challenging environments.
Sarah McInerney
General Manager
Quality, Risk and Safeguarding, Benetas
Sarah oversees quality, compliance and continuous improvement at Benetas. She has extensive experience within aged care, community and health services, spanning strategic and operational roles and specialising in predictive risk modelling and business resilience practices. Sarah is a pharmacist, a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia and has a Bachelor of Commerce and Law from the Australian National University.
Vi Nguyen
Director of Nursing, BSL Aged Care Services, Brotherhood of St. Laurence
Vi Nguyen is the director of nursing at BSL Aged Care Services. The facility is part of the Brotherhood of St Laurence, a not-for-profit social justice organisation focusing on an Australia free of poverty.
Their mission is to serve older people living with disadvantages, create safe spaces and maximise their quality of life. Vi has worked in aged care for over 12 years across South Australia, Australian Capital Territory and Victoria.
Dr Emily Reeve
Senior Research Fellow, Monash University
Chair of the Australian Deprescribing Network
Dr Emily Reeve is a pharmacist and Senior Research Fellow in the Centre for Medicine Use and Safety, at Monash University. They are currently supported by a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Investigator Grant. They have clinical experience as a pharmacist in a large tertiary teaching hospital in both inpatient and outpatient, geriatric focused wards/clinics. Their research focuses on optimising medication use and quality of life through 'deprescribing' in older adults and people living with dementia. They are also current Chair of the Australian Deprescribing Network (ADeN).
Jodie Pettingill
Senior Clinical Pharmacist, Gunn and McConville Pharmacy
Jodie Pettingill is a consultant and hospital outreach pharmacist with over 10 years’ experience specialising in aged care. In addition to conducting medication reviews and quality use of medications (QUM) activities in aged care facilities, Jodie has worked as an embedded pharmacist, GP practice pharmacist, community supply pharmacist and consultant to aged care GPs and geriatricians.
Event sponsored by Optometry Victoria South Australia, 'home' of AAG Vic Division Chair Ilsa Hampton
Introduction by:
Ilsa Hampton
VIC Division Chair
The meeting space is upstairs, accessible via 1.5 flights of stairs with a solid railing.
Street parking is available nearby. The nearest carpark is Melbourne Museum (enter from Rathdowne or Nicholson Streets).
Doors open at 5.30 pm for networking and refreshments. The forum runs from 6.00 to 7.30 pm. Venue closes at 8.00 pm.