![\"pharmacist](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/capital-chemist-2-1200x800.jpg\")
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ACT Health wants Canberrans to remember that their GPs or pharmacies could be a better first point of call for healthcare. Photo: File.<\/p>\n
Preventing unnecessary visits to the emergency department or urgent care services is the aim of a new government health literacy campaign that\u2019s highlighting the varied roles GPs and pharmacists play in helping Canberrans access healthcare.<\/p>\n
The campaign highlights that GPs and local community pharmacists are often the most appropriate first point of contact (when it\u2019s not an emergency) for issues such as managing a chronic condition, getting a vaccination, or seeking advice and treatment for an illness.<\/p>\n
ACT Chief GP and Primary Care Advisor Dr Melanie Dorrington said the campaign aims to empower the community to make informed choices about their health.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnderstanding healthcare service options is key to receiving timely and effective treatment,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThrough this campaign, we\u2019re making sure Canberrans know where to go for trusted, timely care, so they can feel confident in their choices and avoid unnecessary visits to emergency and urgent care services.\u201d<\/p>\n
When it comes to GPs, Dr Dorrington said they\u2019re specialised in delivering preventative care, chronic disease management and everyday health needs.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut here\u2019s what we really want for everyone: your own trusted, regular GP who knows you and your health story. New international research confirms, specifically in Australia, what we already know \u2013 the stronger your relationship with your GP, the better your care becomes,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you stick with the same GP over time, they understand your unique health needs and can support you more effectively. Your GP relationship isn\u2019t just convenient healthcare \u2013 it\u2019s one of the smartest investments you can make in your long-term health and wellbeing.<\/p>\n
\u201cThink of it as investing in yourself, because that\u2019s exactly what it is.\u201d<\/p>\n
Given the ACT\u2019s low bulk-billing rates<\/a>, trips to the doctor may not be the most accessible option for some people.<\/p>\n Community pharmacists can also help with several healthcare concerns.<\/p>\n \u201cCommunity pharmacists can help with advice on medications and a range of health services including vaccinations, wound care, and the assessment and treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infections,\u201d ACT Pharmacy Guild branch president Simon Blacker said.<\/p>\n \u201cCanberra pharmacists, working alongside other health professionals in the region, want to be able to provide more healthcare services with a full scope of practice. This will deliver improved health outcomes for patients and take the pressure off the health system.\u201d<\/p>\n Canberra\u2019s GPs can help with:<\/p>\n New or ongoing health concerns \u2013 from asthma and arthritis to mental health and diabetes Community pharmacists can help with:<\/p>\n Vaccinations \u2013 including flu, COVID-19, shingles, and travel vaccines Many local community pharmacies also open extended hours, including evenings and weekends.<\/p>\n Visit Canberra Health Services<\/a> to learn more about healthcare options available in the ACT or use the health literacy tool<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"ACT Health wants Canberrans to remember that their GPs or pharmacies could be a better first point of…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":108203,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[34],"tags":[64,63,137,500],"class_list":["post-108202","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-healthcare","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-health","tag-healthcare"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/108202","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=108202"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/108202\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/108203"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=108202"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=108202"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=108202"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\nPreventative care \u2013 including diabetes risk and cardiovascular health checks, vaccinations, and cancer screenings
\nContinuity of care \u2013 building a relationship with a regular GP helps ensure more personalised and effective treatment
\nTelehealth and urgent appointments \u2013 supporting accessible care, or when you\u2019re unwell
\nMental health support \u2013 with longer appointments and tailored care plans<\/p>\n
\nUTI treatment and re-supply of the contraceptive pill
\nWound care and medication reviews
\nAbsence from work certificates \u2013 for minor illnesses or caring responsibilities
\nSupport services \u2013 such as help with using your injectable medications, smoking cessation, and weight management<\/p>\n