Bass electorate
Jordan CRUGNALE (Bass) (14:51): (1205) My question is to the Minister for Health. How will the community pharmacist program expansion benefit my Bass electorate community members seeking medical assistance? The news of our $18 million investment to make this program permanent has been well received, as it speaks to the professional care experienced, convenient access and range of treatments offered. In Bass we are fortunate to have so many participating pharmacies: Terry White pharmacies in Cowes and Inverloch; discount pharmacies in Koo Wee Rup and Pearcedale; the Miners’ Dispensary and Amcal, both in Wonthaggi; San Remo and Lang Lang; and Tooradin pharmacy, where I recently caught up with guild representative Brendan Green. I want to thank him and all our local pharmacists for their time, continued advocacy and participation with this program. They have showcased the benefits and spoken to the uptake of the pilot program. This now permanent program stands alongside the Victorian virtual ED and Nurse-on-Call services, which are helping so many, especially in our region. I look forward to the minister’s response.