Read the Latest From BOPDHB CE, Simon Everitt - 30 April 30 Apr 2019

Thank you to staff during strike

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our staff who are once again going the extra mile this week during the latest period of strike action by the junior doctors.

Thank you to all staff who are assisting in patient care delivery and those who have been involved in contingency planning. These staff membersare helping maintain the safety of our patients and colleagues and are ensuring we continue to deliver quality care for our patients.

Thanks also to the administration and scheduling staff, the Senior Medical Officers, and non-striking junior doctors for re-organising their workloads to provide this care.

The Bay of Plenty Community Pharmacy Group

Recently Helen and I had the opportunity to meet with the Bay of Plenty Pharmacy Group (BOPCHG) which represents 53 pharmacies across the BOPDHB area, from Waihi Beach through to Opotiki and down as far as Kawerau. Our community pharmacies provide a vital service for the people of the Bay of Plenty and are part of the range of health services funded by the BOPDHB. I thought it would be helpful to explain a little more about what some of these services are, and introduce the organisation which represents the Bay’s pharmacies.

Pharmacists are often described as the health professional patients see most often. With most community pharmacies conveniently located and many offering extended hours, this makes it easier for patients to access health services.

The BOPCHG holds contracts with the DHB for the delivery of health services such as the Free Emergency Contractive Pill to those under 25 years of age. The group also delivers a Rheumatic Fever Rapid Response Sore Throat Service. There are 37 pharmacies providing this free, no appointment necessary service covering all high incidence areas. The aim of this service is to provide at risk children, young people and their families timely and effective treatment of sore throats caused by Group A Streptococcus (GAS) bacteria.

Other services provided by community pharmacies include free sharps containers and disposal for injectable medicines, free medicines destruction including cytotoxic  medication, free smoking cessation and a complex long-term condition service, an antibiotic (Trimethoprim) for Urinary Tract Infections, Sildenafil for Erectile Dysfunction and free Flu Vaccinations for over 65 years or women who are pregnant.

There are eight pharmacies within the Bay of Plenty that are offering the Community Pharmacy Anticoagulant Management Service, or CPAMS for short, as an option to manage warfarin dosages. These services are under specific criteria and must be provided by an Accredited Pharmacist or a Trained Vaccinator.

The BOPDHB is interested in exploring how we can further utilise our community pharmacy workforce to provide more integrated care working with other community care providers such as general practice and our network of NGO providers across the Bay of Plenty.

To find more information on the range of services offered by our local pharmacies visit: www.bopcpg.co.nz.

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