NSW Health has implemented SafeScript NSW, a Real Time Prescription Monitoring (RTPM) system. SafeScript NSW provides prescribers and pharmacists with access to a patient's prescription history for certain high-risk medicines such as opioids and benzodiazepines, which are prone to misuse or can cause dependence. The information in the SafeScript NSW system helps prescribers and pharmacists to make safer clinical decisions for their patients.
This factsheet is for prescribers and pharmacists who operate close to and across State and Territory (S/T) borders. It explains what patient information is included in SafeScript NSW and the eligibility requirements to register for the system.
Information about a patient's prescribing and dispensing history for monitored medicines will be included in SafeScript NSW as long as their recorded address (as part of the prescribing/dispensing transaction) and/or the clinical transaction takes place in NSW. The table below describes the possible scenarios.
All Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) registered practitioners are eligble to register and use SafeScript NSW to view NSW patient prescribing and dispensing of certain high-risk medicines to their patients.
Practitioners are permitted to view a patient record in SafeScript NSW in the following circumstances:
Practitioners are not to view any other patient records for any other reason.
The table below describes the possible scenarios in which a practitioner would use SafeScript NSW.
Interstate practitioners are eligible to access SafeScript NSW if they treat a patient who ordinarily resides in NSW or receives treatment from NSW practitioners. This includes when providing telehealth services. When registering for SafeScript NSW, you will be required to read and acknowledge your legal and privacy obligations in the system.
Please note that the data collection approaches vary between jurisdictions. Equivalent systems of SafeScript NSW may or may not include interstate records. It is recommended to use the state's jurisdiction's RTPM system in conjunction with SafeScript NSW to ascertain the whole patient's prescribing and dispensing activity. For example, a prescriber who operates near the NSW state border and has NSW and Queensland patients may want to use Queensland's 'QScript' system and NSW's SafeScript NSW system to search for and view their patient's records.
For enquiries about SafeScript NSW, contact safescript@health.nsw.gov.au
