Ms SPENCE (Yuroke) — (12 899) My constituency question is to the Minister for Health. I ask: what information can the minister provide on how many residents have used the Andrews Labor government’s 24 hour supercare pharmacy that opened last year in Craigieburn? This investment has been strongly supported by residents, providing access to round the clock health care close to home, including a nightly nurse service for minor illnesses. I look forward to hearing more from the minister about how residents in the Yuroke electorate are benefiting from this fantastic initiative.

Response:

Supercare Pharmacies provide around-the-clock access to pharmacists for advice, supply of medicines and dispensing prescriptions. The 6pm to 10pm nursing service provides face-to-face health advice and treatment for minor injury or illness.

Last July, the first five Supercare Pharmacies opened around-the-clock in Ascot Vale, Wantirna South, Yarraville, Ballarat and in Craigieburn. On 1 July this year, another seven Supercare Pharmacies commenced 24/7 operations in Bendigo, Traralgon, Curlewis, Balwyn, Reservoir, Coburg and Parkmore, meaning Victoria now has 12 Supercare Pharmacies. A further eight Supercare Pharmacies will commence 24/7 operations by 30 June 2018 delivering the government’s commitment of 20 Supercare Pharmacies across the state.

Since the first Supercare Pharmacies opened to the end of July 2017, there have been more than 69,600 pharmacy attendances between 10pm and 7am. In the same period, there have been more than 4,350 episodes of nursing care provided. Approximately one third of the nursing episodes of care have been for children aged 15 years or younger.

Patient feedback from those who have attended Supercare Pharmacies indicates strong support for both nursing and pharmacy services and for the ability to access services easily. Importantly, patient feedback also shows that if the Supercare Pharmacy had not been available, more than 31 per cent of people would have gone to a local hospital.

I encourage community members to make use of the current 12 Supercare Pharmacies and to keep an eye out for the Supercare Pharmacies that commence operation in June 2018.

Hon Jill Hennessy MP
Minister for Health