In 2021, the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety (Australia) identified 148 recommendations to improve the quality of long term care and home care in Australia. No fewer than 8 of these recommendations specifically touched on medication management, medication reviews and the oversight role of Pharmacists in improving medication safety to those in Long Term Care.

 

In 2024, the Aged Care Onsite Pharmacist program was launched by the Commonwealth government, providing every one of the 2600 Long Term Care facilities in Australia access to a Commonwealth funded Clinical Pharmacist to be embedded in the multidisciplinary team.

 

Hall & Prior, a leading Australian long term care provided have embraced this initiative, launching the onsite pharmacist program to address medication use and safety. This presentation will explore the funding model, program outcomes and leadership and governance structure implemented to embed pharmacists in Long Term Care facilities.

 

Under the aged care onsite pharmacist program, funding is provided directly to eligible aged care homes to support the employment of on-site pharmacists. The funding is intended to cover costs such as pharmacist salaries, oncosts and training.

 

An overview of the outcomes from the first 12 months of this program focusses on the critical role pharmacists have played in medication reviews, deprescribing inappropriate medications, and educating staff, residents and General Practitioners. We have observed tangible improvements across several key areas of care including medication administration, storage and management, enhanced antimicrobial stewardship and quality use of medications. In addition, we’ve seen a significant drop in the use of antipsychotics as chemical restraints and a reduction in polypharmacy.

 

A key factor in the program’s success has been the leadership framework put in place, utilising a program coordinator to ensure smooth implementation and consistent communication across teams. The Long Term Care Facilities clinical management team has also been an integral part of the program providing a supportive environment and facilitating the integration of pharmacists into aged care workflows.

 

Embedding pharmacists in long-term care facilities delivers substantial benefits to resident health and care quality. It supports a safer, more person-centred care and responds directly to the concerns raised by the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. This presentation will identify critical success factors and detail a framework for implementation across other jurisdictions.