NT Budget’s investment in health an opportunity

14 May 2024

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) welcomes the investment in Northern Territory health services as part of the Territory Budget delivered by Chief Minister Eva Lawler MLA today.

The Budget includes $12 million for design and preparation for a new 120‑bed residential aged care facility in the Palmerston Regional Health Precinct, as well as $108 million for a range of mental health measures at the Royal Darwin Hospital.

President of the PSA Northern Territory and South Australia Branch Dr Manya Angley FPS welcomed the investment, highlighting the opportunities for pharmacists to bolster high-quality aged care and mental health.

“The Northern Territory Government’s investment in health services is critical to making care more accessible to Territorians,” Dr Angley said.

“The announcement of a new 120-bed residential aged care facility in Palmerston is another opportunity for pharmacists to support older Territorians through the soon to be launched federally-funded Aged Care On-site Pharmacists (ACOP) program, supporting Quality Use of Medicines and reducing the risk of medicine-related harm in aged care.”

Pharmacists will be better able to support the mental health care of patients across the Territory, with increased investment into the Royal Darwin Hospital’s mental health capacity, says Dr Angley.

“Increased funding for mental health services is a chance to harness the skills and expertise of pharmacists to enhance the delivery of high-quality mental health care through optimising medicine use.

“We are continuing to work with the Northern Territory Government to ensure that all Territorians have access to appropriate care when and where they need it, including from pharmacists practising across our health network,” Dr Angley concluded.

Media contact:   Georgia Clarke   M: 0480 099 798  E: georgia.clarke@psa.org.au

Statement on resignation of Natasha Fyles

19 December 2023

Quotes attributable to Dr Manya Angley FPS, PSA Northern Territory and South Australia President

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On behalf of pharmacists across the Northern Territory, I thank outgoing Natasha Fyles MLA for her service and leadership over her time as Chief Minister and Minister for Health.

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Ms Fyles, alongside then  Chief Minister Michael Gunner, led the Northern Territory through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, and has continued to support the health sector through its lasting impacts.

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Under Ms Fyles’ leadership, NT Health introduced Real Time Prescription Monitoring, reducing the risk of dose escalation, dependence and overdose of controlled and high-risk medicines.

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In 2022, the Fyles Government passed legislation to address legislative barriers to the supply and regulation of scheduled substances, reflecting modern practice. This has provided pharmacists with more agility to meet the health care needs of Territorians, especially those living in regional and remote areas.

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Just recently we have also seen the expansion of pharmacist-administered vaccines in the Northern Territory in line with other jurisdictions, unlocking the full potential of our immunisation workforce and allowing outreach clinics to offer targeted health promotion.

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Each of these measures has had a real impact on the health and wellbeing of communities throughout the Northern Territory, and will continue to do so into the future.

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I look forward to working with the next Health Minister and the broader Northern Territory parliament to ensure that pharmacists are able to practise at their full and top of scope, providing accessible and timely health care to Territorians.

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Media contact:   Georgia Clarke   M: 0480 099 798  E: georgia.clarke@psa.org.au

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