The Andrews Labor Government is getting on with delivering our Victorian Super Pharmacies election commitment with the first five community pharmacies to open 24-hours-a-day, every day by the end of June.
Minister for Health, Jill Hennessy, today joined Member for Essendon, Danny Pearson, in Ascot Vale to announce the locations of the first 24-hour community pharmacies – to be known as Supercare Pharmacies – which will provide round-the-clock access to pharmacists for advice, supply of medicines and dispensing of prescriptions.
The first five Supercare Pharmacies will open at the Ascot Vale Pharmacy, Amcal Pharmacy Craigieburn, Pharmacy@Knox in Wantirna South, Carnovale Pharmacy in Yarraville and UFS Dispensaries in Ballarat.
The Labor Government’s $28.7 million Victorian Super Pharmacies Initiative will see 20 Supercare Pharmacies open to the public by 2018.
Supercare Pharmacies will help families, shift-workers and others who need non-emergency care after hours.
This will help give Victorians more choice and better access to timely health and illness advice, support and treatment, when they need it, closer to home.
These pharmacies will open their doors 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week, with a nurse on site from 6pm to 10pm. The free nursing service will provide face-to-face health advice and treatment for minor injuries or illness and no appointments will be necessary.
Nurses will also assist with basic care such as wound management, as well as physical assessment, flu and whooping cough immunisations, health screening such as blood pressure checks, sexual health advice and referrals to other local services.
Community pharmacists will be able to assist with providing high quality lifestyle, medicines and minor illness advice in their local community.
This service will not replace doctors or the need to visit an emergency department if people need a higher level of care.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Jill Hennessy
“It can be an awful feeling when your child gets sick in the evening – with everything shut it’s often a choice between sticking it out or a trip to emergency.”
“Our new Supercare Pharmacies will give parents another option and more peace of mind, knowing that round-the-clock care is now available close to home and when they need it.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Essendon Danny Pearson
“As a father of five, I know how important it is to be able to access high quality health care at whatever time of the day we need it.”
“Having one of the first Supercare Pharmacies here in Ascot Vale will make a big difference for local families, and help take the pressure off our busy emergency departments.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020