On-site pharmacist a first for aged care

ACT provider Goodwin Aged Care has hired a pharmacist to work across its three residential aged care facilities as part of the organisation’s goal to improve resident access to medications.

ACT provider Goodwin Aged Care has hired a pharmacist to work across its three residential aged care facilities as part of the organisation’s goal to improve resident access to medications.

The new appointment follows a successful six-month pilot Goodwin conducted at its Monash David Harper House facility in 2017 involving accredited pharmacist Richard Thorpe monitoring and dispensing medication.

The trial aimed to test the effectiveness of having an on-site pharmacist for both aged care residents and the staff providing care and in reducing medication errors and the risk of side effects that may result from medications.

The research conducted in collaboration with the University of Canberra found that many aged care providers were safely distributing medications, however Goodwin was the first to have an on-site pharmacist working in an aged care facility.

Richard Thorpe

In his now permanent role, Mr Thorpe will be working with specialists within Goodwin to conduct medication reviews and provide clinical interventions at its Ainslie, Farrer and Monash facilities during the week.

Mr Thorpe has over 25 years of experience working with leading organisations across Australia and the United Kingdom.

His key areas of focus include antimicrobial and antipsychotic stewardship and ensuring there is quality use of medications among residents.

Goodwin CEO Sue Levy said the research project aimed to make a difference in the lives to its residents.

“It demonstrates our commitment to researching innovative new models, but also ensuring that the positive findings are put into practice,” Ms Levy said.

Ms Levy said Mr Thorpe’s involvement was part of Goodwin’s efforts to reduce adverse drug events and health complications.

“Richard’s engagement is yet another milestone in our ongoing efforts to provide best-in-class medication safety for our residents and clients,” Ms Levy said.

Comment below to have your say on this story

Subscribe to Australian Ageing Agenda magazine and sign up to the AAA newsletter

Tags: goodwin-aged-care, news-6, Richard Thorpe, sue-levy, university-of-canberra,

4 thoughts on “On-site pharmacist a first for aged care

  1. What a great idea. The more drugs you stick into old people the better. And having someone on site who makes money from those drugs. Genius.

  2. I really, really hope this is rolled out into some of the larger providers across the country who have significant complaint issues with medication mismanagement and maladministration. Several of Australia’s largest providers need to look to the smaller ones to see what they’re doing right and apply it to themselves. Having an onsite pharmacist is a sensational idea.
    Congratulations Goodwin on your foresight.

  3. Where on earth are you coming from Kyren?

    I think that you have completely missed the point.

    The study was reported in the main magazine for ‘Nursing Homes’ which I read and it indicated that Mr Thorpe’s intervention reduced the amount of medication given to residents not increased. This meant that the medicine round time was substantially reduced and large savings were made in drug costs to the government.
    He is not making any money from or supplying drugs.
    He is a well qualified ‘Clinical Pharmacist’ whose sole aim is to ensure that residents are not receiving medications unnecessary for their well-being.

  4. Another project about to waste money. There is no need to bring pharmacists into the facility.
    A very experienced Registered nurse or a consultant nurse is able to get a safe system into operation. The only medication saving that will go on with the pharmacist is a fight about psychotropics and antibiotics. Guess what? RN’s agree that there is misuse and overuse too.
    So once again weren’t chopping the valuable role of the RN out when they have never really been included in aged care. This has been due to the expense of an RN well now the pharmacist is competing and will raise his price.
    Ridiculous, wasted venture that will fail

Leave a Reply