Virtual pharmacy boosts cardiology care in country WA
WA Country Health Service is excited to announce it has expanded its Virtual Pharmacy Service to support cardiology patients in the Kimberley.
This Virtual Care Awareness Week (27 – 31 October) WA Country Health Service celebrates the stories and advances in innovation that are delivering, and improving, high-quality care to country communities.
Building on the successful pilot completed in the Pilbara last year, the service connects cardiology patients with WACHS pharmacists who provide expert support before and after a cardiologist appointment.
Delivered through a centrally coordinated model, it allows pharmacists to work directly with visiting cardiologists, Aboriginal Medical Services, local General Practitioners (GPs), community pharmacists, and hospital pharmacy teams.
This collaboration improves access to expert advice, streamlines medication orders, and time spent between the patient and cardiologist.
WA Country Health Service Chief Pharmacist Jonathan Nugent said the service supports both patients and cardiologists going into an appointment.
“The aim of the virtual cardiology pharmacy service is to support patient safety and overall health outcomes for patients booked in to cardiology outpatient clinics,” he said.
“We’re taking the pressure off patients and cardiologists by providing support for medication review and advice before patients are seen by a specialist.
“This means that patients can better understand their medications, and cardiologists have a full overview of a patient’s medication list going into their appointment,” he added.
Feedback has been positive from patients, cardiologists, staff and community care providers, including local Aboriginal Medical Services, with strong praise on patient safety and time efficiency.
“The continued expansion of virtual and technology-enabled services in healthcare - like the Virtual Pharmacy Service - will help to achieve our mission of delivering high-quality care for country communities,” he said.