It's so positive to see Invercargill and Southland community pharmacies receiving a funding boost to help more local people access timely healthcare closer to home.
From Riverton, to South City, local people rely on their community pharmacies – they're so often the first port of call for advice and support.
They know their clients by name, and they care about their communities, providing vaccinations and dispensing medicines.
Health New Zealand has recently agreed to a 3.16 percent funding uplift for community pharmacy services, worth $26.6 million – this is a great boost.
Strengthening community pharmacies is a key focus for Government as we move to make it easier for people to access care earlier.
Other funding increases include: $11.9 million annually to support expanded clinical services, a 3.16 percent increase for pharmacy immunisation services, ensuring pharmacies continue to be funded at the same rate as general practice, and changes to funding arrangements to better support the delivery of core pharmacy services.
This support will help pharmacies continue providing the services communities rely on every day, while supporting them to meet growing demand and deliver more healthcare services locally.
Pharmacies are also becoming even more crucial – particularly in rural areas of Southland – with a new expansion to their roles.
At the start of June, a Government proposal to expand the work of community pharmacists came into force, allowing pharmacists to supply funded medicines for a range of common conditions.
This means people can now access treatment sooner for everyday health concerns, including pain and fever management, oral rehydration, and conditions such as scabies and conjunctivitis.
This will make life easier for local people, reducing costs, saving time and reducing pressure on other parts of the health system and it's all part of the Government's plan to fix the basics and build the future of our healthcare system.
We are backing the pharmacy workforce in Invercargill and Southland, improving funding, expanding access to community-based services, and making it easier for local people to get the care they need, close to home.
Funded by Parliamentary Services, published by arrangement.