Ageing Australia welcomes the decision by Department of Health, Disability and Ageing to grant a further extension for non-conformant Electronic Residential Medication Chart (eNRMC) vendors until December this year, following advocacy by Ageing Australia.
Further extensions to be granted pending progress towards performance.
“We’re pleased the Department has listened to the issues raised by Ageing Australia and providers. In a nutshell, the extension means providers using Telstra Health’s MedPoint software do not have to take emergency action this year to address a problem not of their making,” Ageing Australia CEO Tom Symondson said.
“Over the past three weeks we have been working with impacted providers, the Minister’s office, the Department, Telstra Health, GPs and pharmacists, to ensure Telstra Health’s non-conformance does not impact on those receiving aged care. The extension is the most practical way to achieve this moving forward.”
“This decision reflects the need for a measured and safe transition to electronic prescribing across residential aged care.”
“We will continue to work closely with government and vendors to ensure providers have the clarity, support and systems they need throughout this extended transition.”
“We have also communicated our frustration with how this matter was handled. The lack of communication with providers was not good enough, and we are working to ensure this does not happen again.”
Media contact: Peter O’Dempsey 0499 106 957 or
About Ageing Australia:
Ageing Australia is the national organisation representing all providers of aged care to older Australians.
