The Australian Government, through the Department of Health and Aged Care, has announced a further $12.5m in grants (GST Exclusive) to promote the adoption of Electronic National Residential Medication Chart (eNRMC) products in residential aged care services. The initiative, known as the Supporting Medication Management in Residential Aged Care Initiative, aims to improve medication management and safety practices within the aged care sector.
The grant opportunity targets Residential Aged Care Services (RACS), National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care (NATSIFAC) residential services, and multi-purpose services (MPSs) that provide residential aged care services. These settings stand to benefit significantly from the use of eNRMC products, as they enhance the quality use of medicines, streamline medication ordering and administration, and minimise medication errors.
By implementing an eNRMC system, aged care staff, prescribers, and suppliers can improve coordination and flexibility in delivering services. Real-time medication ordering and administration recording reduce errors while facilitating better communication and consumer-centred care for residents.
The grant opportunity has been designed to assist organisations in covering the costs associated with adopting a conformant eNRMC product, including software and hardware expenses, change management processes, and staff training. Successful grant recipients will have 12 months from the date of their grant agreement to implement a conformant eNRMC product.
A conformant eNRMC product is defined as one that meets all state and territory requirements and is either an Electronic Prescribing Conformant eNRMC product listed on the Electronic Prescribing Conformance Register or approved by the Australian Digital Health Agency as a Transitional eNRMC Product and listed on the Transitional eNRMC Conformance Register. Further information on the conformant eNRMC products and register can be found here.
To be eligible for funding, applicants must be a residential aged care service (RACS), a National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care (NATSIFAC) provider delivering residential services, or a Multi-Purpose Service (MPS) providing residential aged care services, including those operated by State and Territory governments. Additionally, applicants must hold a current and valid residential aged care service unique system identifier issued by the Commonwealth, such as a RACS ID or National Approved Provider Service (NAPS) ID.
Further information can be found here.
The closing date and time for applications is March 28, 2024, at 2:00 pm (ACT Local Time).
