ADGP has received many enquiries about the possibility of obtaining PBS computer prescription paper pre-printed with nursing home / aged care facility details rather than facilities storing prescription paper for numerous individual GPs.

Medicare Australia has instigated a process for this to occur for computer generated prescriptions only. Medicare Australia assesses each proposal on a case-by-case basis.  This streamlining process should simplify the provision of computer prescriptions within an aged care facility where multiple medical practitioners service significant patient numbers. To date, this process has been successful in several Divisions.

A Division of General Practice must provide Medicare Australia with a written proposal requesting the prescription paper.  An aged care facility cannot request pre-printed computer prescription paper on behalf of the visiting general practitioners as a GP must take responsibility for the ordering and supply of the prescription paper.

The written proposal must include:

1. Details of the nominated doctor who will order and take receipt of the prescription paper. The doctor must be eligible to access PBS prescription paper and must sign for the prescription paper on delivery to the general practice surgery.  Pre-printed prescription paper cannot be delivered to the nursing home / aged care facility.
2. Endorsement of the proposal by the nursing home/aged care facility;
3. The name and address of the facility where prescriptions will be stored;
4. Details of prescription security at the facility (ie. secure storage, who will have access, how it will be accessed by GPs providing services in the facility); and
5. Placement of an initial prescription paper / pad order form. Medicare Australia does not preprint nursing home/aged care facilities addresses on orders for prescription pads (hand written not produced by computer). 
   Original discussions regarding this process were only in relation to the use of a computer to produce the prescriptions at facilities.  It is suggested that doctor's leave personalised prescription pads (hand written) at the facility if they have the appropriate secure storage.

If Medicare Australia is satisfied that all requirements for approval are met, written notification of approval and details of ordering arrangements will be forwarded to the author of the proposal. Please note approval will not be given to individual doctors requesting prescription paper for these facilities.

Please note that the NSW office of the Prescription Pad Order Clerk is responsible for the approval of this process for all states and territories.  All written proposals should be forwarded to:

 

Prescription Pad Order Clerk
Medicare Australia
GPO Box9826
SYDNEY  NSW  2001
Contact Phone Number: 02 9895 3295

Please note that a maximum of three (3) boxes of prescription paper / pads is available for order at any one time.  Due to the likelihood that prescription paper usage under this process will increase, the nominated GP can order prescription paper on a more frequent basis, for example; monthly.  Separate order forms for prescription paper and pads needs to be forwarded to the Prescription Pad Order Clerk.

ADGP would like to thank the Mid North Coast and Sutherland Divisions of General Practice in commencing the work necessary to enable pre-printed computer generated prescription paper stationery to be utilised in RACFs. 

To assist Divisions, RACFs and GPs in the process of requesting pre-printed computer generated prescription paper ADGP in consultation with Medicare Australia, have developed the attached form letters. 

 

Checklist for Divisions - Ordering Prescription Paper in RACFs
Template Letters for Ordering Prescription Paper in RACFs Please note that this is form letter.  Tab through the document completing the various sections specific to the RACF and GP details.  Save as a word document.