SafeScript NSW, the state’s real-time prescription monitoring program, continues to support health practitioners with the introduction of its new approval management functionality.
Delivered in partnership with the NSW Ministry of Health, SafeScript NSW was made available state-wide in May 2022. Since then, over 26,000 health practitioners have registered to use the system. It provides real-time information about a patient’s prescription and dispensing information, and now includes approval (previously known as NSW authority) history, for certain high-risk Schedule 8 medicines.
Dr Robert Page, Staff Specialist at South Eastern Sydney Local Health District (SESLHD), Drug & Alcohol Services explains a key benefit for prescribers using the new functionality.
“The ability to rapidly get an approval is so valuable, particularly when you've got a patient sitting in front of you and they're feeling unwell, and they want to get the support they need as soon as possible,” Dr Page said. He explains in many cases there is a noticeable difference in the time it now takes to submit an approval application.
“The new system allows me to focus more on providing direct patient care and less time on my administrative work. There used to be quite a lot of paperwork and often delays to get an approval, whereas now it’s just a matter of clicking and often having things approved immediately,” he said.
Through this new, easy-to-use functionality, prescribers can gain greater efficiency, transparency and compliance when treating patients with high risk medicines.
Key features of the new approval management functionality
SafeScript NSW’s approval management functionality, made available in November 2023, allows registered prescribers to:
- Easily submit approval applications online
- Track progress of the approval applications
- Reduce overall turnaround time, where approvals may be granted immediately in some cases
- Exit or cancel existing approvals.
Other features include pre-populated digital forms, navigation prompts in the approval submission process, and an approval question tool assisting the prescriber to determine if an approval is required.
Introducing the approval management functionality within SafeScript NSW is part of NSW Health's commitment to improving patient safety and the approval management process.
eHealth NSW is proud to continue its partnership with the Ministry of Health, with plans to further enhance SafeScript NSW based on user feedback.
Find out more about SafeScript NSW and the new approval management functionality on the SafeScript NSW website or visit the SafeScript NSW solutions page to learn more.
