On-site pharmacists helping improve care in Gippsland aged care homes

Residential aged care homes across Gippsland are invited to join the Aged Care On-site Pharmacist Program (ACOP), with Griffiths Point Lodge in San Remo already seeing practical, day-to-day improvements in medication safety, clinical collaboration and resident care.

The Aged Care On-site Pharmacist program is an Australian Government initiative that funds pharmacists to work on site in residential aged care homes as part of the care team, supporting safer, more effective medicines use.

On-site pharmacists can build trusted relationships with residents, families and staff, develop a deeper understanding of individual needs and provide timely, practical support with medicines.

For residents and families, this can mean fewer medication-related issues, clearer conversations and greater confidence in care decisions. For staff, it means having expert medication advice readily available when it matters most.

Through a partnership with San Remo Pharmacy, local pharmacist Liam visits Griffiths Point Lodge each Tuesday. His visits are scheduled to coincide with the GP’s visits, creating opportunities for real-time collaboration and informed clinical decision-making.

This regular presence has made the pharmacist an integral part of care at Griffiths Point Lodge, contributing to multidisciplinary discussions, supporting nurses and GPs and helping ensure medication decisions are person-centred and aligned with each resident’s health goals, preferences and changing needs.

‘The on-site pharmacy program has strengthened medication safety and continuity of care by ensuring timely access to medication reviews, expert clinical oversight and closer collaboration with care teams, residents and families,’ Clare, nurse unit manager at Griffiths Point Lodge.

This collaborative approach has strengthened clinical governance within the home and supported safer, more coordinated medication management – delivering meaningful benefits for residents, families and staff.

 How to participate in the program

Pharmacists

Pharmacists must meet current training and credentialing requirements, including completing an Australian Pharmacy Council-accredited aged care on-site pharmacist training program or an accredited recognition of prior learning process and holding a valid credential number. Community pharmacies approved under section 90 of the National Health Act 1953 can participate under Tier 1 by partnering with an eligible residential aged care home.

Tier 1 – Section 90 community pharmacies can claim payments to engage an ACOP to work at a particular residential aged care home. See please see the Pharmacy Programs Administrator website for more information.

Tier 2 – Residential aged care homes can claim payments to engage an ACOP to work at the home if they are unsuccessful in sourcing an eligible pharmacist through the community pharmacy of their choice. See please see the Pharmacy Programs Administrator website for more information.

Residential aged care homes

Residential aged care homes may be eligible if they receive an Australian Government residential care subsidy or are an eligible transition care facility, Multi-Purpose Service or National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care facility. Homes that provide respite care only are not eligible.

An electronic National Residential Medication Chart is not a condition of participation.

Eligible homes can approach a community pharmacy of their choice under Tier 1. If they are unable to secure a pharmacy partner, they may be eligible to receive funding directly to engage an on-site pharmacist under Tier 2.

How Gippsland PHN can help

Gippsland PHN can support pharmacists and residential aged care homes to understand program requirements, connect with suitable partners and navigate funding and implementation.

 Want to learn more?

• Visit our Aged Care On-site Pharmacist webpage
• Email the Gippsland PHN Aged Care team at agedcare@gphn.org.au
• Watch the short overview video to see how on-site pharmacists are making a difference in aged care homes
• Visit the department’s Aged Care On-site Pharmacist Program webpage