Better go to Blooms

YOUR LOCAL PHARMACY PLAYS A VITAL ROLE IN DELIVERING SAFE, AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE HEALTHCARE TO AUSTRALIAN COMMUNITIES. IN ADDITION TO HEALTH SERVICES SUCH AS MEDICATION MANAGEMENT AND REVIEW (HELPING PEOPLE TAKE THE RIGHT MEDICATION IN THE RIGHT DOSE AT THE RIGHT TIME), BLOOD PRESSURE CHECKS, CHOLESTEROL SCREENING, AND DIABETES MONITORING, COMMUNITY PHARMACIES PROVIDE AN IMPORTANT POINT OF CONNECTION AND SUPPORT FOR OUR PATIENTS AND CUSTOMERS.

Pharmacists are the third most trusted profession in Australia, providing free healthcare and advice after hours, on public holidays, and during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic.1 Australian pharmacies receive over 350 million visits each year, with 95% of customers and patients satisfied with the support and care they receive.1 For many people, these visits are highly important to their health, because they are collecting vital medication. For others, it is a chance to discuss their health with someone who knows them and lives in their community.

While many pharmacies have shifted the focus towards price, as a community pharmacy, your local Blooms

The Chemist has continued to prioritise expert care and genuine support in the moments that matter.

Having a healthcare expert on hand who is knowledgeable about you and your needs, and who is part of your community, is invaluable – and can have a huge impact on healthcare outcomes.

How Pharmacists work with other healthcare professionals

Pharmacists work in conjunction with other healthcare professionals to ensure patients and customers receive the best possible treatment, healthcare advice and support in their wellbeing journey.4

These other types of healthcare roles include:

• Physicians/Doctors: Also known as General Practitioners (GPs), they work in places like hospitals, clinics and private practices. They collaborate with Pharmacists through building relationships with their patients, and working with the patient and Pharmacist to determine the most appropriate. They may specialise, for example in fields such as paediatrics, cardiology or oncology. Doctors are the most common healthcare professional to prescribe medication for a Pharmacist to dispense.

• Nurses: Nurses provide critical care and support for patients. They can administer medication, monitor vital signs, and help with routine activities like bathing and eating. This includes registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and nurse practitioners. Nurses play a crucial role in hospitals leading and supporting treatment, and may help a Doctor determine what to prescribe.

• Psychiatrists: The primary role of psychiatrists is to diagnose and treat mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Their treatments can include talk therapy, cognitive-behavioural therapy and medication. They often work closely with Pharmacists to ensure the correct balance of medications are being taken.

What can you get at Blooms?

Some of the health services offered by Blooms The Chemist pharmacies include:

Blood pressure evaluation

This measures the pressure of blood against the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps blood around your body. You should get your blood pressure checked regularly, especially as high blood pressure (hypertension) has virtually no symptoms. Left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to stroke, heart disease, heart attack, diabetes and other conditions.

Cholesterol screening

Cholesterol is a type of fat used in many of the body’s processes. Abnormally high cholesterol levels may not give you any symptoms, but can lead to a heart attack or stroke. A blood test is the best way to check how much cholesterol and other kinds of fat are in your blood.

Diabetes monitoring

This screens your blood glucose levels, and the test is used if you’re at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes or have recently been diagnosed with diabetes. 1.5 million Australians now live with diabetes, so it’s an important test.2

Healthy mind checkup

This involves a private conversation about your mental health between you and your local Blooms Pharmacist, or a trained mental health first aider within the pharmacy. You can reach out if you're worried about yourself or someone else, or just need advice on any medication you may be taking.

Iron testing

Maintaining the right iron level in your blood is vital for ensuring that enough oxygen is distributed throughout your body, otherwise you’ll feel weak and tired.3 We can check this for you at Blooms The Chemist by measuring your haemoglobin, a component of blood which can indicate low blood iron levels.

Sleep apnoea testing

Nearly three million Australians have obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). This disrupts their sleep, affects their quality of life, and even increases their risk of developing conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease. Many Australians with OSA don’t even know they have it, so it could be important to get tested.

Stroke risk assessment

Around one in six Australians will have a stroke during their lifetime. A stroke risk assessment at Blooms takes less than 10 minutes and could be your first step towards preventing a stroke. Your Pharmacist will take your blood pressure and ask a series of simple lifestyle, family history and age-related questions in order to assess your overall risk of stroke.

1Vital facts on community pharmacy: https://www.guild.org.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/12908/Vital-facts-on-community-pharmacy.pdf

2About diabetes: https://www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/about-diabetes/#:~:text=Facts %20about%20diabetes&text=There%20are%20currently%20almost%201.5,silent%2C%20 undiagnosed%20type%202%20diabetes.

3Red blood cells and why they are important: https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/dlp/red-blood-cells.html

4Hospital staff roles: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/servicesandsupport/hospital-staff-roles