The latest hurdle in aged care’s digital rollout

Telstra Health’s MedPoint and Strong Room Technology’s StrongCare have been granted a further extension to meet electronic prescribing requirements, in a move designed to avoid aged care providers reverting to paper scripts.

Eight out of 10 electronic National Residential Medication Chart (eNRMC) software vendors have now successfully achieved conformance.

eNRMC systems are used in residential aged care to electronically prescribe, supply and track medicine administration, reducing administrative burden for aged care staff and improving resident safety.

In response to a recommendation of the Aged Care Royal Commission, the Government in 2022 adopted temporary Transitional Arrangements to allow aged care homes to begin using eNRMC systems before full electronic prescribing functionality was available.

The Transitional Arrangement will end on 1 December 2026. After that date, only fully conformant eNRMC systems will be permitted for prescribing in residential aged care.

Deadline extended

In October 2025, the Government extended the grace period to 1 December 2025 for non-conformant vendors, including Telstra Health, Strong Room Technologies and Compact Business Systems Australia.

Since then, Compact Business Systems Australia has achieved conformance.

However, Telstra Health and Strong Room Technologies have now had their conformance deadlines pushed back to 1 April 2026.

Aged care homes using non-conformant software can continue to do so until that date. After 1 April 2026, any orders created using non-conformant systems will require duplicate paper/electronic PBS prescriptions.

A “practical” outcome

Ageing Australia CEO Tom Symondson said the extra time would help providers avoid disruption.

“We supported the extra extension, pending demonstrated progress towards conformance. This is the best outcome for all involved and means providers do not have to take rushed or emergency measures to address a problem not of their making.

“This has been a difficult situation for all involved, and we have communicated our frustration over how this matter was handled from the start. We are working to ensure a lack of communication with providers doesn’t happen again.”