By Eleanor Wilson
Local pharmacists are reminding customers about the low-cost health services they provide in store, after a new study found more Australians are delaying seeing a doctor due to the cost of living crisis.
The latest Productivity Commission Report found 3.5 per cent of people postponed or skipped GP visits in the past 12 months because of the cost, up from 2.4 per cent the previous year, according to the ABC.
Almost a quarter of people delayed seeing a psychologist, psychiatrist, or mental health professional because they could not afford it.
It comes as general practitioners across the country are increasingly abandoning the bulk-billing system, amid claims federal medicare subsidies have not kept pace with growing costs.
Meanwhile, cost of living pressures have overtaken Covid-19 as the main concern for Australians, according to a recent BeyondBlue survey.
In a bid to ease the hip pocket pain for Casey residents, pharmacies are advising locals of the range of health services available free of charge in-store.
Pharmacist at Blooms the Chemist Casey Central Jotishna Chandra said pharmacists are extensively trained and fully accredited healthcare professionals equipped to deliver additional health services.
“We have a lot of customers who come in for regular blood pressure assessments, or diabetes assessments if they want to know their blood sugar levels or cholesterol,” Mrs Chandra said.
“Even when it comes to general health, it can be hard to get into the doctor’s office quickly, so a lot of customers do come in for advice on diet and exercise or skin health advice.”
The full list of services provided by Blooms the Chemist includes blood pressure evaluations, cholesterol screening, diabetes monitoring, iron screening, stroke risk assessment, medication management, healthy mind check up, sleep health advice, skin health advice and general nutrition and exercise guidance and information.
The Casey Central store also provides free medication packing, as well as sleep apnoea testing and naturopathy consultations available at a small charge.
“We want to give that holistic approach for the customers health and well-being and we try our best to over a full range of services,” Mrs Chandra said.
“Especially with the cost of living so high these days, we want people to know about the services we provide and that we are really highly accessible we want to encourage customers to come in and speak to one of our pharmacists.
“Don’t put your health and wellbeing at the back of our mind, it’s important to focus on it and we are here to help you do that.”
Health services at Blooms the Chemist Casey Central can be booked online, with walk-ins also available.
