Aged Care on-site pharmacists

Overview

We are seeking feedback on the planned introduction of on-site pharmacists in residential aged care homes.

Having a pharmacist on-site will give residents and their families confidence that medications are regularly reviewed, appropriate, and will provide continuity in medication management. This positive change for older Australians responds to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, Recommendation 38, and will be rolled out from 2023.

The Aged care on-site pharmacists consultation paper outlines the proposed measure and how it will be implemented.

Have your say

We are particularly interested in hearing your feedback on:

• funding models for employment of on-site pharmacists
• the role of on-site pharmacists
• training requirements
• pharmacists and provider reporting, including the development of quality indicators
• how to transition from current arrangements.

Through this new measure, funding will be provided for pharmacists to be employed or engaged to:

• provide clinical service on-site in residential aged care homes
• meet the needs of residents and the facility
• address any issues around medication use.

Residential aged care providers, stakeholders and technical experts are encouraged to respond to the discussion directly to the team through email using the Aged care on-site pharmacists response table.

Stakeholder forum

In addition to the opportunity to provide written feedback we are holding an online stakeholder forum. The forum is an opportunity to provide feedback on the high-level themes and issues outlined in the consultation paper and is in addition to any written response. 

Date:  Wednesday 7 September 2022

Time:  9.45 am to 1.00 pm (AEST)

Format:  Online - access details will be provided via email prior to the event

How to register:  Up to two representatives from your organisation can be nominated to attend the forum. Please send details of nominees to Agedcarepharmacist@health.gov.au by COB 1 September 2022.

What happens next

Feedback received from the forum and written responses will be used to inform further development of the measure.