Improving medication use and management for people living in Residential Aged Care Homes.
The Aged Care On-site Pharmacist (ACOP) initiative aims to improve the safety and quality of medication management in Residential Aged Care Homes (RACHs) by funding community pharmacies and aged care providers to employ on-site pharmacists in RACHs.
The initiative was introduced on 1 July 2024 as a key recommendation of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.
What are the benefits?
- Improve medication use and safety, including the safe use of high-risk medications
- Provide continuity in medication management with day-to-day reviews and prompt issue resolution
- Offer easy access to pharmacist advice for residents and staff
- Integrate pharmacists with the healthcare team, including local GPs, nurses, and community pharmacies.
- Increase understanding and response to individual resident needs.
What are the eligibility requirements?
Residential aged care homes are eligible if they either:
- Receive residential care facility subsidy from the Australian Government in accordance with the Aged Care Act 1997
- Are an Australian Government-funded transition care facility
- Are a Multi-Purpose Service
- Are a National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care facility.
How is the funding structured?
The funding for the ACOP program is dependent on the number of RACH beds.
- 1 - 50 RACH beds = 1 onsite day per week
- 51 - 100 RACH beds = 2 onsite days per week
- 101 - 150 RACH beds = 3 onsite days per week
- 151 - 200 RACH beds = 4 onsite days per week
- 201 - 250 RACH beds = 5 onsite days per week
How can SEMPHN help?
South East Melbourne PHN can support residential aged care homes to:
- Identify appropriately credentialed pharmacists in the catchment
- Support connection
- Provide guidance and support for program implementation.
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