Telstra Health’s MedPoint software was one of several providers which failed to meet the 1 October conformance deadline.
Leading aged care advocacy group Ageing Australia has welcomed the decision by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing to grant a further extension for non-conformant electronic residential medication chart vendors until December.
Telstra Health’s MedPoint software and, HSD believes, three other providers failed to meet the government’s 1 October deadline for filing their conformance documentation.
Further extensions are likely to be granted pending progress towards performance, Ageing Australia said.
“We’re pleased the Department has listened to the issues raised by Ageing Australia and providers,” said AA’s CEO Tom Symondson this afternoon.
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“In a nutshell, the extension means providers using Telstra Health’s MedPoint software do not have to take emergency action this year to address a problem not of their making.
“Over the past three weeks we have been working with impacted providers, the Minister’s office, the Department, Telstra Health, GPs, and pharmacists, to ensure Telstra Health’s non-conformance does not impact on those receiving aged care.
“The extension is the most practical way to achieve this moving forward.
“This decision reflects the need for a measured and safe transition to electronic prescribing across residential aged care.”
Mr Symondson said he had “communicated the sector’s frustration” with how the issue was handled by the Department.
“The lack of communication with providers was not good enough, and we are working to ensure this does not happen again.”