We are delighted to announce that the recipient of the 2024 CHA Local Community Medal of Distinction Award is the Partners in Disability Care Paediatric Pharmacy Shared Care Model.

The Pharmacy/Paediatric Co-Share Model was developed to address the growing demand for paediatric services, particularly in the context of managing complex medication needs in children with developmental disabilities. Over the past 24 months, the Paediatric Development Clinic at the Gold Coast HHS faced an unprecedented 175% increase in new referrals. In response, the innovative co-share model was implemented, allowing pharmacists, under indirect paediatric supervision, to perform medication follow-ups. This approach has significantly reduced the number of paediatrician appointments required per child, thereby increasing the capacity of paediatricians to focus on new referrals and address waiting list demands. By enhancing individual care through paediatrician-pharmacist collaboration, the model has enabled more timely and frequent review appointments, leading to better health outcomes for children.

Advocacy for the health of children and young people is at the core of this model. By bringing together pharmacists and paediatricians in a shared care approach, the model advocates for the unique needs of children with disabilities, ensuring that their medication regimens are tailored to their specific conditions. The partnership between healthcare providers emphasizes the importance of comprehensive and individualized care, advocating for the best possible outcomes for each child.

We congratulate the team in their efforts to ensure the health and wellbeing of vulnerable children are being supported.