Better Access to Palliative Care Medicines Program
Overview
The South Australian Government is committed to improving and expanding quality palliative care services, to improve access and choice for South Australians with a life limiting illness, including supporting integrated palliative care to meet people's preferences and reduce pressure on hospitals, especially emergency department presentations after hours and on weekends.
For palliative care patients who wish to receive their palliative care at home, improving availability and access to medicines used to manage end of life symptoms in the community is patient centred and the key to avoiding hospital presentations.
Through the Better Access to Palliative Care Pharmacy Medicines Program, the Pharmacy Guild (SA Branch) under the direction of the Department of Health and Wellbeing, are establishing a network of 30 Community pharmacies across regional and metropolitan South Australia, who will provide guaranteed access to agreed palliative care medicines and support palliative care patients and their families and carers for an approximate three year period until March 2026.
The successful pharmacies will provide access to a Palliative Care Core Medicines List (CML) and provide support for palliative care patients and their families to enable patients to be treated at home and to avoid hospital presentations, especially after hours.
To support access, an initial stock of core palliative care medicines will be funded through the project with replenishment by the pharmacy.
Pharmacies selected for participation in the program will also receive an annual participation fee in the amount of $1,700 (GST inclusive) made in recognition of the commitment to supply and maintain the core palliative medicines, including when required urgently outside of normal working hours.
Participating Pharmacies will be encouraged and supported by the Guild to establish communications with local GP's and hospitals to develop an understanding of likely demand for palliative care medicines.
Expressions of Interest close at 2pm on Wednesday 15th November 2023.
Click here to download the Expression of Interest (EOI) document.
Completed Expressions of Interest along with supporting evidence should be emailed to : guildsa@sa.guild.org.au
FAQ's
Who can apply to be a participating pharmacy?
All pharmacies who are a registered premises under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (South Australia) Act 2010 can apply to be a participating pharmacy.
The participation requirements for the network of community pharmacies will include::
- a current license under the Pharmacy Regulation Act 2010
- approval to supply pharmaceutical benefits under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme , in accordance with s90 of the National Health Act 1953.
- current accreditation against the Quality Care Pharmacy Program, or other relevant accreditation program.
- current professional indemnity, public liability and workers compensation insurance
How do I apply to be a participating pharmacy?
Pharmacies will be selected based on an Expressions of Interest process whereby eligible pharmacies must submit an EOI
Click here to download the Expression of Interest (EOI) document.
Completed Expressions of Interest along with supporting evidence should be emailed to: guildsa@sa.guild.org.au
How will pharmacies be selected to particpate?
Pharmacies must meet the mandatory selection criteria in order to be considered for the network of community pharmacies:
- a current license under the Pharmacy Regulation Act 2010
- approval to supply pharmaceutical benefits under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme , in accordance with s90 of the National Health Act 1953.
- current accreditation against the Quality Care Pharmacy Program, or other relevant accreditation program.
- current professional indemnity, public liability and workers compensation insurance
In addition, Expressions of Interest will be evaluated on their merits according to the following evaluation criteria:
- Extended pharmacy opening hours will be prioritied where appropriate
- Geographic location of the pharmacy
- Pharmacy accessiility to established palliative care support services and networks
- Previous experience providing palliative care medicines through other service arrangements
- Previous experience proiding after hours services for medicine supply. e.g. palliative care patients , aged care facilities.
Will participating pharmacies be required to undertake any specific training?
Pharmacies selected for participation in the program will be required to ensure its workforce is suitably qualified and registered to work within their scope of practice as well as being up to date with current palliative care treatment guidelines in order to provide safe quality use of palliative care medicines to patients, their families/carers and other health professionals.
Will Pharmacies be funded to participate in the program?
To support access, an initial stock of core palliative care medicines will be funded through the project with replenishment by the pharmacy.
Pharmacies selected for participation in the program will also receive an annual participation fee in the amount of $1,700 (GST inclusive) made in recognition of the commitment to supply and maintain the core palliative medicines, including when required urgently outside of normal working hours.
In circumstances where after hours access to supply of palliative care medicines is provided, pharmacies will be reimbursed up to $100.00 (GST inclusive) for costs associated with security.
What is the closing date to submit my application?
Expressions of Interest Close at 2pm on Wednesday 15th November 2023.
For more information please contact;
Page last updated on: 26 February 2024