Pharmacists role – more than dispensing medicine

Graeme Chesterton has been a hospital pharmacist for more than 20 years and has seen significant change over his career.

The team at Latrobe Regional Health (LRH) now includes 20 pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and administrative officers providing care and expertise to the hospital and outposts across Gippsland.

But Graeme says one of the biggest changes is when a patient is admitted and the number of medications they are already taking.

“A typical patient admitted today to LRH would be taking two to three times as many medications while at home, that someone with the same condition would have been taking back in 2000. The whole picture is much more complex in terms of both numbers of medicines but also the interaction with other medicines and the possible side effects the patient may experience.”

Given that complexity it’s not a surprise that the way Graeme and his colleagues work has also changed.

The old model of the pharmacist simply dispensing pills to a ward to be given to a patient has been replaced by a more advanced model where the pharmacist’s expertise is folded into the patients care on the ward.

‘It’s transitioned to a model where the pharmacist might be on a particular ward for most of the day, providing advice to medical and nursing staff and being involved in discussions about the best model of care for the patient. It’s more holistic if you like and better for the patient,” Graeme said.

Reflecting this new approach, the training and ongoing professional development has been changed to meet the needs of the modern hospital.

“Following their five years of study, a new graduate has the opportunity to be part of a Foundation Residency for two years where they consolidate their training under supervision.

From there they might move to an Advanced stream and eventually to a more specific area of expertise. That might be perioperative medicine, oncology or mental health for instance,” LRH Lead Pharmacist Education and Clinical Programs, Lucy Holmes said.

“A hospital pharmacist needs to continue their professional development to stay across what’s happening with new methods of treatment, new conditions and new medications.

Added to these skills is the need to keep the ability to chat with patients to make sure they understand what they’ve been prescribed and how to take them safely.

At the end of the day, with the sometimes increasing complexity of healthcare, the safety and well-being of the patient is the most important thing,” Lucy said.

Pictured L-R: Pharmacist Sophie Lees, Pharmacy Manager, Louise McMahon, Deputy Pharmacy Manager Graeme Chesterton.