PSA introduces community of practice for consultant pharmacists
24 October 2024
The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has established the Consultant Pharmacist Community of Specialty Interest (CSI), taking the reins from the Interdisciplinary team-based care CSI established in 2021.
The Consultant Pharmacist CSI will work with PSA to:
- Encourage engagement and professional growth among consultant pharmacists through collaborative learning and foster discussions and idea-sharing to enrich the community’s collective knowledge and expertise.
- Deliver Practical Workshops on essential topics for consultant pharmacists.
- Gather insights from members to shape the Consultant Pharmacist Conference, emphasising themes like patient-centred care and lived experiences.
- Strengthen professional recognition and visibility within the field for consultant pharmacists.
PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS said the time was right to establish a dedicated community for consultant pharmacists and thanked the outgoing members of the CSI for their leadership.
“The outgoing leadership team have advised PSA on issues relating to consultant pharmacists and interdisciplinary team-based care during a period of significant change and uncertainty for this portion of our profession,” Associate Professor Sim said.
“On behalf of PSA I sincerely thank this experienced group of leaders for providing insights into the consultant pharmacist space and informing our work in this area over the last three years. Of course, we are proud to harness the experience and knowledge of outgoing CSI Chair Debbie Rigby, who continues to work with PSA in an advisory role helping lead, shape and further scale up our support for credentialed pharmacists.
“Now is the right time for PSA to refresh the CSI to reflect our growing community of consultant pharmacists specialising in general practice, aged care and medication management.
“Our CSIs are a forum for PSA members to connect with colleagues, share ideas, opportunities and resources, and grow their practice in a safe, professional environment. I encourage members to join our CSIs and take advantage of the professional communities they offer.”
Incoming CSI Chair Deborah Hawthorne FPS also extended a special thanks to outgoing chair Debbie Rigby FPS.
“Under Debbie’s leadership this CSI has established itself as an important advisory group for PSA and we thank her for her input and guidance. We’re also very excited that she is staying on as a member of the CSI Leadership group to mentor us and continuing providing valuable input.
“The consultant pharmacist community in Australia is going through a time of great change, but also a time where new opportunities are presenting themselves. I’m excited to be leading this CSI and hope to be able to use this role to guide PSA in providing tailored support and resources to consultant pharmacist members.
“This is a really exciting time to be a consultant pharmacist and I’m looking forward to using the Consultant Pharmacist CSI platform to help pharmacists get the most out of every opportunity that presents itself.”
The Consultant Pharmacist Community of Specialty Interest is led by:
- Deborah Hawthorne FPS (chair)
- Kelly Abbott MPS
- Manya Angley FPS
- Lily Chong MPS
- Erin Colreavy MPS
- Sharon Doolan MPS
- Joanne Gross MPS
- Bente Hart MPS
- Nick Mamas MPS
- Lucy Parker MPS
- Debbie Rigby FPS
- Rania Saad MPS
- Brooke Shelly FPS
- Brooke Snow MPS
- Raymond Truong MPS
- Kristin Turner MPS
The Consultant Pharmacist – Community of Specialty Interest is an exclusive forum for PSA members. Join PSA today by visiting www.psa.org.au/membership
Media contact: Georgia Clarke M: 0480 099 798 E: georgia.clarke@psa.org.au
