As part of the multidisciplinary healthcare team, our pharmacists collaborate closely with general practitioners, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to deliver comprehensive care tailored to the needs of each resident.The role of the ACOP can be categorised into 5 core areas:

Person-Centred Care: Engaging and communicating with residents, families, and carers to keep them informed in the decision-making process and ensure that medication management aligns with individual preferences and health requirements. This includes being readily available to address medication management enquiries and providing culturally safe services.

Interprofessional Collaboration and Communication: Forming a cohesive partnership with the multidisciplinary healthcare team both within and outside the facility. This includes coordinating with the dispensing pharmacy to manage medication reconciliation and address urgent medication changes during transitions of care.

Medication Management: Providing expertise to reduce medication-related harm, including monitoring and reviewing resident medications daily to address and resolve issues promptly. This includes documenting allergies and adverse reactions, closely monitoring high-risk medications, and ensuring proper medication administration. Additionally, the ACOP coordinates vaccinations and manages medication adjustments during end-of-life care.

Quality Use of Medicines: Leading quality improvement initiatives, such as observing medication administration, conducting clinical audits, and evaluating the use of high-risk and potentially inappropriate medications. Additionally, the ACOP reviews and updates facility policies to prevent medication errors, manages the supply of critical medications to ensure continuity of care, and provides educational sessions on medication safety and use to staff, residents, and their families.