Until recently, families had very limited options for accessing basic health care overnight, with emergency departments often the only place to turn. Through recent investments, South Australians now have more care options than ever before, including the opening of Medicare Urgent Care Clinics, the expansion of virtual care services, and the delivery of four new 24/7 pharmacies.
We are not stopping there. A re-elected Malinauskas Labor Government will deliver three additional 24/7 pharmacies in the west, north-east and Adelaide Hills, ensuring more South Australians can access medication and care overnight, when it is most needed. This will help ease pressure on both hospitals and GP clinics.
A re-elected Malinauskas Labor Government will also invest $1 million to fund additional training for 120 more pharmacists, building on the 120 already funded and doubling the number of pharmacists with the graduate training needed to deliver expanded services and treat acute health conditions. This will enable pharmacists to directly treat a broader range of conditions, including joint pain, skin conditions and wound care, as well as provide additional services such as prescribing hormonal contraception, offering travel health advice and conducting oral health risk assessments.
This commitment means more South Australians will be able to visit their local pharmacy for timely care, instead of waiting for a GP appointment or attending an emergency department.
