• WA Liberals put patient care close to home for Western Australians.

• $5.5 million for expanded outpatient and ambulatory care services at Kalamunda Hospital.

• $3 million to expand dispensing of current hospital-only medications to community pharmacies.

• Legislation to trial prescribing capacity for pharmacists for minor ailments.

The WA Liberals today announced a range of policies to build on their commitment to take essential health care to Western Australians where they live.

WA Liberal Leader and Shadow Health Minister Libby Mettam was in Kalamunda today to announce a $5.5 million commitment to provide four dialysis chairs, chemotherapy day beds with tele-chemotherapy capabilities, and outpatient specialist rooms for Kalamunda Hospital.  

These additions will enhance the hospital’s existing services and provide residents with easier access to critical care close to home,” Ms Mettam said.

“The dialysis unit will offer local treatment for chronic kidney disease patients, tele-chemotherapy will allow cancer patients to receive care under remote specialist supervision, while the specialist outpatient rooms will support consultations in key medical fields, reducing the need for patients to travel to Perth for routine appointments.”

Ms Mettam also announced a $3 million commitment to allow community pharmacies across the state to dispense specialist medications, which currently only qualify for a discount if they are dispensed through a hospital pharmacy.

“The increasing complexity of medicines has seen a corresponding increase in the number of medicines, many of which are lifesaving, that can only be accessed by patients at an affordable price through a hospital pharmacy,” she said.

“For many patients, especially elderly and regional patients, access to these medications by visiting a hospital, is a significant logistical challenge.

“This initiative will allow community pharmacists to expand their practice to include dispensing hospital prescriptions at the PBS discount price and charging the prescribing hospitals for the service. It will mean that our hospital pharmacies can focus on critical clinical activities and preparing discharge medications, improving discharge times.”

Ms Mettam also committed a WA Liberal Government to allow limited prescribing by community pharmacists.

“This would be based on a similar trial conducted in Queensland where pharmacists were able to prescribe for 23 conditions, including reflux, rhinitis, mild skin conditions, cold and flu symptoms, and mild ear infections,” Ms Mettam said.

“Analysis of the Queensland trial found annual savings of more than up to $20 million for the state’s health system.

“This is yet another commonsense initiative from the Liberals that will take pressure off our GPs and hospital emergency departments.”

WA Liberals candidate for Kalamunda Adam Hort said the promised new services at Kalamunda Hospital would have a significant community impact.

“Beyond health benefits, the hospital expansion will stimulate the local economy by creating jobs, increasing activity in Kalamunda’s town centre, and supporting local businesses through increased foot traffic,” Mr Hort said.

“This proposal represents a transformative opportunity to strengthen healthcare access and community well-being in Kalamunda.”

“As a former heart transplant pharmacist and the Chief Pharmacist for Australia’s largest country health service, I understand the impact that the tyranny of distance can have on access to care and health outcomes. Empowering our pharmacists in the community, where clinically appropriate, is just another way the WA Liberals are bringing care closer to home.”

Ms Mettam said the WA Liberals were committed to improving healthcare in Western Australia by bringing services closer to the people who need them most.

“We believe that improving health outcomes begins within our communities, where tailored, locally delivered services can address the unique challenges faced by individuals and families,” she said.

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Conditions pharmacists will be able to treat

Following the Queensland model, pharmacists would be able to prescribe for conditions such as:

1. Nausea and vomiting

2. Reflux (Gastroesophageal reflux disease - GERD)

3. Rhinitis (Hay fever/allergic rhinitis)

4. Mild skin conditions, including:

   • Eczema

   • Dermatitis

   • Acne

   • Cold sores

   • Fungal infections (e.g., athlete’s foot, ringworm)

5. Acute mild musculoskeletal pain, including:

   • Mild back pain

   • Sprains and strains

6. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) in non-pregnant women

7. Oral contraceptive pill resupply (for existing prescriptions)

8. Emergency contraception (morning-after pill)

9. Mild respiratory conditions, including:

   • Mild asthma flare-ups

   • Mild chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations

10. Sinusitis (mild bacterial infections not requiring antibiotics)

11. Mild ear infections (otitis externa, swimmer’s ear)

12. Mild eye conditions, including:

   • Conjunctivitis (bacterial or allergic)

   • Dry eye syndrome

   • Styes

13. Mild gastrointestinal issues, including:

   • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms

   • Constipation

   • Diarrhoea

14. Scabies and head lice treatment

15. Threadworm and pinworm infections

16. Haemorrhoids (mild cases)

17. Mouth ulcers and oral thrush

18. Cold and flu symptoms, inc. mild fever management

19. Shingles (early-stage, mild cases)

20. Smoking cessation support, including nicotine replacement therapies

21. Simple wound care (minor cuts, abrasions, and minor burns)

22. Chronic disease management support, including:

   • Cardiovascular disease risk reduction

   • Asthma management

   • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) support

23. Travel medicine advice and certain vaccinations, including:

   • Influenza (flu vaccine)

   • COVID-19 boosters

   • Other state-approved vaccines

Further conditions to be determined and agreed with WA Health, the Pharmacy Guild, and other stakeholders.