The Guild Dispensary

This week is Heart Week! Heart Week provides an opportunity for health professionals and the Australian public to start a conversation about heart health and take positive steps to reduce their risk of heart disease. One health professional contributing to better heart health is Grace Lee from Capital Chemist O’Connor who is providing a Holter monitoring service through her pharmacy. A Holter monitor is a small, wearable device that records the heart's rhythm and is used to detect or determine the risk of irregular heartbeats. In this episode, Grace explains what providing the service is like, from a pharmacy owner's perspective, including the concerns, how much it costs, and whether it is actually worth it. Enjoy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Guild Pharmacy of the Year Award recognises pharmacies that are leading the way in providing innovative and optimal healthcare for members of their community. This year's winner is none other than Capital Chemist Southlands, who took home the 'Excellence in Business Management’ category as well as the overall ‘Pharmacy of the Year’ award! Praised for their excellent business strategy, leadership, and understanding of their community, Capital Chemist Southlands is a worthy winner of the award. In this episode, we speak to Louise McLean, one of the owners of Capital Chemist Southlands, and we’ll hear a little about her Pharmacy of the Year experience, as well as some of the things they’ve done throughout the years that have led to their success. The Guild Pharmacy of the Year award is proudly sponsored by Care Pharmaceuticals. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We all know the last few years have been tough on pharmacists. From COVID-19 to bushfires and floods and financial uncertainties, there seems to always be something going on. In this episode we will hear an interview with Kay Dunkley, Executive Officer at Pharmacists’ Support Service, and Curtis Ruhnau, the Pharmacists' Support Service president, which took place at APP2024 with Australasian Pharmacy. We’ll learn a little bit more about PSS, and why it is such a valuable service for pharmacists to have. Enjoy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Close the Gap is an important awareness day that aims to close the health and life expectancy gap between the indigenous and non-indigenous. As a pharmacist and pharmacy owner, what role can you play in helping close this gap? Today we speak to Georgina Twomey, the Managing Director at Alive Pharmacy Group and chair of Rural Pharmacists Australia. Together, we’ll explore some important questions such as why the gap exists in the first place and how to manage cultural barriers or misconceptions, as well as what’s happening in rural pharmacies on a national scale. Enjoy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As a business owner, you know that renewing a lease can be a crucial decision. Rent is the biggest expense for most pharmacies, so you want to make sure you get it right. But how do you ensure you're getting the best deal? What factors should you consider when negotiating a lease? And how can you navigate the complexities of the rental landscape to secure a favorable agreement? In this episode, we’ll be speaking with two experts who have contributed to the Guild’s Pharmacy Rental Report and who can help shed some light on the intricacies of the rental report. plus, we'll get an update on changes and impacts in regards to the Industrial Relations legislation. Enjoy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2023, we once again welcomed lots of fantastic guests onto the show who shared some amazing stories, experiences, insights, and advice. With each show kicking off with a short snippet from a guest, an interesting part of the conversation to look forward to, we’ve once again gone back through the episodes and pulled out the question and full answer for you and created more ‘Best of’ episodes. As such, you can expect two shows full of short and sharp advice from each of our amazing guests, as we look back at 22 shows, those being episodes 116 to 136. In this Best of episode, the second of the two, we cover episodes 127 to 136. Enjoy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2023, we once again welcomed lots of fantastic guests onto the show who shared some amazing stories, experiences, insights, and advice. With each show kicking off with a short snippet from a guest, an interesting part of the conversation to look forward to, we’ve once again gone back through the episodes and pulled out the question and full answer for you and created more ‘Best of’ episodes. As such, you can expect two shows full of short and sharp advice from each of our amazing guests, as we look back at 22 shows, those being episodes 116 to 136. In this Best of episode, we cover episodes 116 to 126. Enjoy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Having to deal with aggressive or stressed customers is an unfortunate reality when working in community pharmacy during the holiday seasons. How do you help your staff manage hostile interactions while prioritising the safety of themselves and other patients? How can you, as a manager, create an environment where your staff feel supported and empowered to stand up for themselves? This episode is a timely exploration of a topic that holds immense relevance during the holiday hustle. Joining the show is Mark Oostergo, a workplace psychologist from Australian Psychological Services, to shed light on navigating the complexities of occupational violence and aggression in the pharmacy realm. A remember that your well-being matters, and creating a positive workplace culture is essential. If you require some extra support during the holidays, a reminder that the Guild offers an Employee Assistance Program via TELUS Health. You can find more information here. Or, you can listen to our episode TELUS Health EAP – A Wellbeing Toolbox In Your Pocket - Kylie Hancock and Shayne Dearling - Ep 133 Enjoy See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As more services and procedures are introduced into pharmacy, so is the chance that something eventually goes wrong, and an incident report must be made. Hayley Smilie, from PDL, is the person on the other side of the incident reports. As a professional officer and a pharmacist herself, Hayley has a lot of knowledge when it comes to handling incidents and other tricky situations that a pharmacist might eventually encounter. For example, how do you decide which one of your patients receives a life-saving drug when it’s in shortage, but others need it too? Or, how do you handle a situation where a key employee is caught participating in unethical behaviour? Hayley has the answers to those questions and more. Enjoy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nowadays, most medication is mass produced. However, what if a patient has a condition where the stock-standard medicines aren't available? That’s where our compounding pharmacists step in. In this episode, we dive deep into the fascinating world of compounding. How are customised medications made, how are complex compounding requests handled, and what actually goes into setting up a compounding pharmacy? In this episode we hear from Jack Hammond, a compounding pharmacist with over 18 years of experience. With experience in manufacturing, cosmetics, veterinary, nutrients, childrens, and geriatric compounding, Jack can help with all compounding needs. Enjoy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’ve all had that moment of wanting to speak to someone about something that bothers us, but not knowing who to turn to, or if our issue is even big enough to be taken seriously. In this episode, Kylie Hancock and Shayne Dearling, are here to shed light on an invaluable resource that's often underutilised but can make a world of difference in the lives of not only pharmacy staff but also their close family – the TELUS Health Employee Assistance Program. The TELUS EAP is a fantastic tool for empowering you to take the steps needed to manage your well-being and provides a host of resources and clinicians to support you when you need it – no issue is ever too small to discuss. So, if you have ever wondered how to tackle those moments when something is bothering you, or if you've questioned whether your concerns are worth addressing, this episode is for you. Enjoy See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Colby Diek originally had no thoughts on working in pharmacy – yet here she is now, taking home the crown as the 2023 Pharmacy Assistant of the Year! Stumbling into pharmacy by chance, 20 years ago, Colby has grown to love everything about it. In this episode, we hear from Colby about her journey from being nominated for Pharmacy Assistant of the Year, to the months following, where she stood on the stage as her name was called out as the winner. Her experience is filled with new skills, friendships, some borrowed clothes, and lots of wonderful support! Enjoy See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We return to a panel of Australian and international pharmacists, some of whom are trained as prescribing pharmacists, who spoke at the APP conference in March 2023. This panel session took a deep dive into the experiences of prescribing pharmacists in the UK, discussing how pharmacists need to prepare, how new programs will actually be rolled out, and how full scope will assist patients. The conversation was facilitated by Kos Sclavos AM with panelists: Enjoy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ultan is the General Manager at Arthritis Queensland, an organization committed to improving the lives of those suffering from arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions. In his role at Arthritis Queensland, Ultan has been instrumental in driving forward initiatives aimed at education, policy development, and quality of life improvement for arthritis patients. With a passion deeply rooted in helping those living with this often misunderstood condition, his contributions have significantly influenced our understanding and management of arthritis. Enjoy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Simon Fletcher is a true guru when it comes to managing underperformance in teams and, in this episode, will focus on just one tool of many - the Situational Leadership Model. Simon has a ton of experience in leadership and knows the ins and outs of teamwork and motivation. Level up your leadership skills as Simon shares practical strategies to tackle underperformance head-on and empower your pharmacy for success. Enjoy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can having a robust social media presence actually contribute to a better pharmacy patient experience? The answer is yes! By engaging and interacting with patients online, pharmacies can foster a sense of trust, care, and accessibility. After all, in today's digital age, a thriving social media presence is more than just likes and follows; it's an avenue for nurturing a strong patient-pharmacy relationship. In this episode, Sarah Rendell from Peak Strategies delves into the 'whys' of why pharmacies should establish a strong social media presence. She shares her expertise on the power of connecting with your audience in the digital realm and why understanding your audience is the cornerstone of social media success. We explore the dos and don'ts of social media for pharmacies and the significance of striking the right balance in your posts. We’ll discover how to present your pharmacy as an indispensable resource while building genuine connections with your community – all through social media. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Learn what patients think of Australian healthcare. Our guest, Stephen Mason, Chief Executive Officer at the Australian Patients Association, takes us through the results of the recent Australian Healthcare Index. The Australian Healthcare Index provides a pulse check on healthcare in Australia from its patients’ perspectives and experiences. More than 10,000 adults across Australia participated in supporting the survey and provided their personal points of view and experiences of the public and private healthcare ecosystem. Stephen explains the report’s key findings and trends, helping us understand what Australians think of our healthcare system, and what it all means for healthcare professionals. To learn more about the Australian healthcare Index and to read the report, visit the link in the show notes at guild.org.au. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every pharmacist knows the importance of excellent patient care in pharmacy and the vital role pharmacists play in ensuring patient safety. However, something that is just as important is prioritising the well-being and professional growth of your pharmacy staff. Joining us in this episode is Lucinda Marks, managing partner at Capital Chemist Calwell and one of the finalists for the Guild Pharmacy of the Year Award in 2023. When it comes to staff, Lucinda and her co-partners know that actions speak louder than words. Capital Chemist Calwell has implemented various measures to enhance the work-life of their employees, including unlimited annual leave, work-from-home trials, and regular one-on-one meetings. If you ever have the opportunity to visit Capital Chemist Calwell, you will see firsthand what a difference it makes to have empowered and happy staff. By investing in the well-being and growth of their employees, they have created a workplace where everyone can thrive – patients and staff alike. Enjoy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re bringing you a helpful and timely session that was presented at a recent PBCN webinar about making sure your pharmacy is prepared for tax season. Emma Brown, Principle at RSM, helps simplify and demystify tax processes to help you maximise returns. Among a myriad of helpful tips and tricks for tax time, Emma covers areas of focus for the Tax Office so you can maintain compliance and take advantage of available concessions. Emma also covers some of the implications of 60-day dispensing. The pharmacy team at RSM understand pharmacy business, having worked with hundreds of pharmacy owners to ensure they achieve industry benchmarks. In this episode, let Emma’s expertise guide your efforts as you prepare for June 30. To hear the full PBCN webinar recording and view the slide presentation to go with it, visit the Guild’s website. The full presentation includes sessions from Sharlene Wellard, from Meridian Lawyers, and Belinda Hegarty and Ben Massey, from Commbank Health. There’s a link for that in the show notes at https://www.guild.org.au/news-events/events/2023/pbcn-webinar-preparing-your-pharmacy-for-eofy Enjoy See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When it comes to people management, there might be nothing worse than turning a blind eye and hoping the problem will ‘just go away.’ Our guest today, James Judge, provides practical tools, advice and solutions to address the more ‘curly’ challenges that can arise with staff, in the workplace. James is an experienced people manager, and director of a consultancy aimed at helping businesses and organisations build stronger teams. He’s very well placed to share some of the tools from his toolkit, to help you, listeners, gain a little more confidence when it comes to doing just that. In today’s episode, we look at some of the most common workplace issues, emerging trends and most importantly, how to nip the most common workplace issues in the bud, so you can keep yourself – and your staff – in the best shape possible for your business to thrive. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.