New boost to specialist pharmacy support in regional WA
Nikki Reynolds, Virtual Clinical Pharmacist.
WA Country Health Service is making more specialist support available to country doctors, nurses and clinicians through its Command Centre.
Harnessing the latest in virtual technology, the organisation’s Command Centre brings together new and existing emergency and specialty services in a 24/7 ‘virtual’ clinical hub and features services like the Emergency Telehealth Service, Mental Health Emergency Telehealth Service and the Midwifery and Obstetrics Emergency Telehealth Service.
As of June, pharmacy joins the expanding list of services and Nicole (Nikki) Reynolds has been appointed to the inaugural Virtual Clinical Pharmacist position.
“The role of a Virtual Clinical Pharmacist is to undertake the core functions of a clinical pharmacist in a telehealth capacity,” Nikki said.
“At the touch of a button I can speak to staff and patients on-the-ground to provide medication advice, provide patient counselling, and safeguard medication use through prescribing and administering advice.”
WA Country Health Service’s Chief Pharmacist Adam Hort said that having positions like Nikki’s would not only benefit country communities but provide additional support to hardworking staff on-the-ground.
“Virtual Clinical Pharmacists help to improve patient safety and meet medication safety standards at our more rural and remote sites,” he said.
“This will support recruitment, retention and training of junior pharmacists as well as provide expert medication management advice to medical and nursing staff.”
The trial is in its early stages and is anticipated to run for two years.