AUSTRALIA'S Federal Government is claiming fresh ground in its battle for supremacy in the rural vote with the appointment of the first ever National Rural Health Commissioner Emeritus Professor Paul Worley (pictured).
His primary remit will be to address the shortage of country doctors but the Assistant Minister for Health David Gillespie has emphasised that the impact of the role will equally apply to allied health professionals including pharmacy and others.
"Whatever health profession you can pick there is always a metropolitan preponderance of their distribution," Gillespie said.
The move has been strongly hailed by both the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) and the Pharmacy Guild of Australia.
PSA national president Dr Shane Jackson said, "Pharmacists warmly welcome Prof Worley's appointment and his important commitment to improving access to quality health services and care in rural and regional communities".
Guild national president George Tambassis, said: "The Pharmacy Guild has a strong record in developing and administering programs that focus on rural health needs delivered through community pharmacy, and we look forward to working with Professor Worley in the interests of patients across Australia."
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 23 Oct 17
To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 23 Oct 17
