Psychotropics prescribing in residential aged care facilities
GPs will be among a group of 28,000 PBS prescribers who will receive a letter and a factsheet ‘Six steps for safe prescribing’ from the Chief Medical Officer, Professor Brendan Murphy. The correspondence is part of a range of activities being progressed by the Department of Health to reduce the inappropriate use of psychotropic medications in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) in response to the findings of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.
In writing to practitioners, the CMO is aiming to provide information and resources that support the appropriate management of dementia in a residential aged care setting. The letters will be received by those practitioners identified as prescribing PBS medications to residents of a RACF between 1 April 2018 and 31 March 2019.
Chair of the AMA Council of General Practice, Dr Richard Kidd, has provided advice to the Aged Care Clinical Committee (the Committee) to assist in the development of the letter and Factsheet. Dr Kidd will continue to be involved with the Committee’s activities as the Royal Commission continues.
More information, resources and Frequently Asked Questions to support practitioners in their care of residents with dementia is expected to be available from 6 December here.
AMA members with concerns that are not addressed through the information and Frequently Asked Questions available on the website can contact Prof. Brendan Murphy’s team at Psychotropics.RAC@health.gov.au.
