A NON-stop ‘supercare’ pharmacy in Ballarat is gradually changing the region’s health care culture as the state government prepares to roll-out another seven round-the-clock sites.
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UFS Pharmacy in Sturt Street was one of the first five Victorian Government-assisted supercare pharmacies to step up operations in mid-August.
The program has also featured, and will continue, a free nurse on site from 6pm to 10pm to treat minor ailments and wounds without appointments.
UFS’s primary care operations manager Talei Deacon said the community had been growing used to the extra services and the organisation was pleased with how well the 24-hour option had been received.
“The supercare pharmacy is going very well and is certainly quite popular with the community,” Ms Deacon said. “The nursing services is growing...numbers possibly depend on who is presenting and whether it’s for conditions we can treat or whether we need to refer on.”
Nurses can 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.
Supercare pharmacies focus on offering a safe, convenient after-hours service to help alleviate pressure on nearby hospital accident and emergency departments.
While there is yet to be a confirmed Ballarat number, more than 50,655 people have visited the state’s first supercare pharmacies between 10am and 7am since July. This includes sites in Ascot Vale, Craigieburn, Wantirna South, Yarraville and Ballarat.
There has also been more than 3,260 cases present to supercare nurses across the five pharmacies.
New pharmacies are set to roll out in Keysborough, Coburg, Reservoir, Balwyn, Curlewis in Geelong, Bendigo and Traralgon. The state government has promised to create 20 supercare pharmacies by mid-2018. People needing a higher level care are still encouraged to visit a general practitioner or the emergency department.
