Guild keen to support rural communities to tackle depression

Guild keen to support rural communities to tackle depression

The Pharmacy Guild of New Zealand (the Guild) is keen to see community pharmacy play a part in supporting rural communities to tackle depression.

Health Minister Hon Dr Jonathan Coleman and Primary Industries Minister Hon Nathan Guy announced yesterday that increased training will be provided for rural health professionals and community leaders to tackle depression in rural communities. This commitment is the second part of a one-off $500,000 funding boost for mental health initiatives targeted at rural communities.

The Ministry of Health will work closely with Rural Health Alliance Aotearoa New Zealand (RHAANZ) and DHBs to provide around 40 training workshops in 20 different locations on mental health issues, for health professionals, business networks and communities.

Hon Dr Jonathan Coleman has said “This funding will boost the skills of health professionals such as GPs, nurse practitioners and pharmacists working in rural areas.”

Guild Chief Executive, Lee Hohaia says “As members of RHAANZ, the Guild is pleased to see that they will be the lead organisation involved with this funding boost. As the experts in achieving optimal health and wellbeing for rural communities through access to safe, effective and acceptable health services, we have full faith that RHAANZ will guide us down the right path to upskill our rural health professionals, rural business networks and rural communities in suicide prevention strategies, as well as increasing access to skilled health care in regions with the highest need.

“It was fantastic to see that Hon Dr Jonathan Coleman has specifically mentioned pharmacists’ involvement in this initiative and the Guild is ready to assist our members working in rural communities to better support their patients.

“The professional training, skill, and knowledge of community pharmacists can definitely be better utilised in rural and remote areas, particularly in areas where access to other health professionals may be limited. In communities where there is only one community pharmacy in the town, these pharmacies are often the most important hub for health care services and general support for the local population. The face to face contact in these situations is an important opportunity to recognise when an individual may need extra help and to provide that support where appropriate.

“Community pharmacists have a long and substantial history in working with patients suffering with mental illness and we hope that their knowledge and expertise will be called on to help roll out this initiative.

“We look forward to supporting the Ministry of Health and RHAANZ in tackling depression in rural communities and learning more about how community pharmacy can better support their rural patients.”

ENDS

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