Lifeview’s embedded pharmacist wins top award

Residents at Lifeview’s aged care homes are enjoying safer, smarter care thanks to a pioneering approach – and it’s just earned pharmacist Linda Ha one of the highest honours in her field.
Linda, the onsite embedded pharmacist at Lifeview, has been awarded the prestigious Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) Victorian Pharmacist Medal. She was nominated by researchers from Monash University for her outstanding work on a national aged care initiative called EMBRACE (Evidence-based Medication knowledge Brokers in Residential Aged CarE).
Through the program, Linda helped reduce the use of psychotropic medications – often prescribed to residents living with dementia – and introduced better medication management practices that have led to fewer falls, less chemical restraint, and a better quality of life for residents.
“My key achievements were strengthening staff confidence in psychotropic medication management through education, establishing regular medication review processes, and leading our Interdisciplinary Case Conferences with our allied health team,” Linda said.
“These changes have made a real difference to the people living in our homes.”
Lifeview operates four aged care homes in Melbourne’s southeast – Chelsea, Cranbourne, Emerald and Wheelers Hill – and is one of the few providers with a full-time pharmacist embedded on site.
“Aged care having onsite pharmacists is still quite new. Not everyone has one yet,” Linda said. “But Lifeview are definitely pioneers in this space, and it’s wonderful to see the positive impact it’s having.”
Lifeview CEO Samantha Jewell congratulated Linda and said her work was making a “hugely meaningful difference” in the lives of residents.
“We are proud to be one of the aged care leaders offering embedded pharmacists, and to have such a dedicated expert like Linda as part of our team,” she said.