AJP Podcast host Carlene McMaugh talks with rural Victorian pharmacist and wearer of “many hats” Debbie Hawthorne, who works in a GP clinic as well as in research, with her local PHN, in telehealth, clinical consulting and several other roles.

Hawthorne was also named PSA Consultant Pharmacist of the Year in May, and has gained reknown for her tireless work reaching out to the profession via social media.

In this episode, she talks to AJP podcast host Carlene McMaugh about her work as a GP pharmacist – beginning just before the pandemic struck – and the learning curve she climbed, beginning with her work in opioid stewardship.

“We have a lot of things against us, as pharmacists in GP clinics,” Hawthorne says, explaining why she has focused on making her job sustainable and generating income.

“We can’t claim on the MBS; I can help collect data and help others claim on the MBS.”

Pharmacists are the best people to recognise who needs a home medication review, Hawthorne says, saying that she has the privilege of seeing a “wonderful cycle of care,” identifying patients who could use a review, talking to GPs about it, doing a review in their home, and then performing follow-up.

It’s a great way to develop relationships, she says – something she loved in community pharmacy, and now enjoys as a GP pharmacist, as well as how this meant she was able to help one patient whose pain wasn’t being controlled.

She also talks about the steps pharmacists can take if they’re keen to investigate a role in GP pharmacy – a question she says she’s asked on a weekly basis.

“The more GP pharmacists there are, the stronger the role will be and the more accepted it will be as part of normal practice.”

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