Postal
Pharmacists authorised to issue medical certificates
(17 February, 2010) Despite the Federal Government changing the rules to allow pharmacists to provide a medical certificate for minor ailments, such as influenza or headache Australia Post says the new provisions do not apply to it, refusing to accept a certificate from a pharmacist provided by a NSW parcel delivery employee who was unable to get a medical appointment and therefore a medical certificate.
Quite clearly the move to allow pharmacists to issue medical certificates is sensible in terms of reducing the burden on doctors and costs to Medicare not to mention the fact that most people are flat out getting in to see a doctor on the day they call, thus making it impossible to get a medical certificate to satisfy outdated employer requirements.
The CEPU NSW branch has filed the NSW worker’s matter in the Magistrates’ Court.
Meanwhile the national president of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Kos Sclavos, said that while many pharmacists had been frightened off by doctors fighting an aggressive campaign against the service most pharmacists were 'very competent and confident' of providing medical certificates, and the scheme was relieving pressure in GP surgeries.
For more information, contact the CEPU via feedback@cepu.asn.au