What are Access Points?

There are still opportunities for suitably qualified entities to become Access Points.

Diabetes SA may appoint any of the following bodies to become an NDSS Access Point:

• community pharmacies
• community health centres
• diabetes centres
• hospitals
• divisions of general practice
• appropriate allied health practices
• Aboriginal health services, and
• other appropriate outlets that have been approved by Diabetes Australia in writing.

Pharmacies

All approved pharmacies throughout Australia are eligible to become an Access Point. However, the pharmacy must first demonstrate to the Agent the following:

• a current pharmacy licence, location approval and approved PBS supplier status, and
• a high level of interest and commitment to providing specialty services to people with diabetes.

Any pharmacy that believes it can meet the eligibility criteria is invited to apply to become an Access Point.

Categories of Criteria

Agents must assess each Access Point application against a set of nationally consistent criteria. There are two categories of criteria:

• Feasibility criteria - These criteria relate to an Agent’s capacity to recruit, induct and provide ongoing support to a new Access Point, and
• Demonstrated Interest criteria - These criteria relate specifically to the applicant and their level of interest and commitment to diabetes.

Applying the Criteria

The criteria are applied differently depending on whether the applicant is a pharmacy or a non-pharmacy.

• For pharmacies - the criteria can only be used to decide the timeframe and priority for taking them on as an Access Point. All pharmacies must be taken on as an Access Points when they meet the demonstrated criteria
• For non-pharmacy applicants - the criteria can be used to decide whether the application is approved or rejected.

Applications

The Access Point application includes:

• the demonstrated interest criteria
• Access Point terms and conditions.

The applicant conducts a self-assessment against the demonstrated interest criteria and agrees to the terms and conditions.

Demonstrated Interest Criteria

The following criteria are used to determine whether an applicant currently meets the required standards to become an Access Point.

• Evidence that relevant diabetes training and education programs are currently in place for staff
• Current knowledge of local diabetes support services
• Evidence of diabetes services currently being provided to people with diabetes, in addition to retail sales
• Evidence of high quality customer service and care
• Ability to cater for language and cultural needs that are prevalent in the area
• Active involvement with medical and allied health care service providers to people with diabetes
• Overall safety and presentation of store and staff
• Necessary IT infrastructure and internet access with the ability to download and provide current information to Registrants
• Front door and aisles wide enough for disabled access
• Private area for one-on-one consultations with Registrants, with adequate seating.

Training

When the applicant has successfully achieved all of the demonstrated interest criteria, approval is given in principle for the applicant to become an Access Point. However, the applicant can only commence operating as an NDSS Access Point once all staff have successfully completed the training and assessment.