Goondiwindi Pharmacy Expands with Focus on Clinical Care

A community pharmacy in regional Queensland has significantly expanded its clinical services, establishing dedicated consultation rooms and a team of trained practitioners to deliver a wider range of healthcare.

The TerryWhite Chemmart pharmacy in Goondiwindi, owned by Lucy Walker, now features four CareClinic consultation rooms and a dedicated check-in and waiting area. The expansion supports a team of six trained Pharmacist Practitioners who have already delivered more than 240 pharmacist consultations. This volume places the store among the top-performing in Queensland for such service delivery.

"Seeing international models of pharmacy care gave me real clarity on what’s possible," said pharmacy owner Lucy Walker.

Services now offered include travel health consultations, asthma management, and hormonal contraception prescribing, moving beyond traditional dispensary roles.

Background and Motivation

Walker’s decision to invest followed a Churchill Fellowship and global study tour. She observed international pharmacy models, which reinforced her view that community pharmacy in Australia has significant untapped potential.

Walker stated that a "care-led model is the right model for our patients, for our community, and ultimately for the sustainability of the business." The Goondiwindi Region, with a population of more than 10,300 people, stands to benefit from increased access to primary healthcare services.

Industry Context and Commentary

The expansion is seen as part of a broader shift towards the consistent delivery of full-scope pharmacy services. Michael Beaumont, General Manager of TerryWhite Chemmart, said the development helps embed full scope of practice into day-to-day operations and enables better care for the community.

"A care-led model is the right model for our patients, for our community, and ultimately for the sustainability of the business."

This model is also presented as a scalable approach for pharmacist-led care in regional Australia, where access to general practitioners and other primary healthcare providers can often be constrained.