From the Director's Desk

I am thrilled to be stepping up as the new Branch Director for the Pharmacy Guild of Australia WA Branch. I embrace the legacy left behind by Matthew Tweedie, and I extend my sincere appreciation to him for his years of service, not only to the Pharmacy Guild of Australia and the WA Branch but to the entire community pharmacy sector in Western Australia. I am honoured to continue the strong relationships and meaningful connections established with all of you, our valued members.

First and foremost, I want to express my gratitude for your unwavering support and participation in the Free Flu program. Your dedication and commitment to improving public health has made the program a resounding success. It is through initiatives like these that we demonstrate the essential role of community pharmacy in delivering vital healthcare services to the community.

As we move forward, we face new challenges, none more so than the Albanese Government's proposed 60-Day Dispensing policy. I want to assure you that the WA Branch will vigorously advocate to maintain member viability in the face of these challenges.

We will continue to leverage our strength in numbers and engage in effective lobbying, strategic partnerships, and proactive involvement with policymakers. By collectively shaping policies, regulations, and standards, we can ensure that community pharmacies remain a cornerstone of accessible and quality healthcare.

In addition to our advocacy efforts, I am committed to supporting our members in expanding your scope of practice. Full scope implementation remains a top priority for the Pharmacy Guild of Australia. Through ongoing education, training, and support, we will empower you to deliver a broader range of appropriately-funded services, enhancing the value and viability of community pharmacies in Western Australia. Together, we can create an environment that allows your expertise and dedication to thrive.

With that in mind, I look forward to welcoming you to the upcoming Pharmacy WA Forum 2023, to be held on Thursday 3rd and Friday 4th August at the luxurious Crown Perth resort. With a bumper program, this event promises to be both informative and engaging.

Our breakout sessions return in 2023 and remain a perennial favourite for good reason. With four breakout streams, featuring a diverse range of speakers and with subjects as varied as retail management, cyber security and heart health, there truly is a session to meet every interest.

I want to draw your attention to one of these compelling breakout sessions: "Unveiling IR Trends: Navigating the Latest Changes in 2023." This breakout session will feature our very own WA Branch Industrial Relations Officer, Kate Hall, who will shed light on significant changes in the workforce, including parental leave, family and domestic violence leave, contractual terms, flexible working arrangements, and other critical updates.

Kate's expertise and insights will undoubtedly prove invaluable, empowering you to navigate these changes with confidence. Want to catch another session? Why not bring a colleague (or two) and take advantage of our generous 2 and 3-person discounted delegate packages.

I extend my warmest welcome to all members to join us at the Pharmacy WA Forum 2023.

As a final note, I would like to take this opportunity to remind all members that it's time for your annual membership renewals. For your convenience, this year marks a milestone as we introduce online renewal processing through your myGuild account. This streamlined process will save you time and effort, ensuring you can continue to enjoy the benefits of being a Guild member without any hassle.

Thank you for your continued support; I am honoured to serve as your Branch Director. Together, we will continue to shape a bright future for our profession and community.