Retirement and nursing homes pharmacy in geriatric patients increases the probability of mortality and morbidity. In order to make the provision of medication and care planning safer, not only the individual competence of all those involved in the administration of medication should be strengthened, but also the cooperation and communication of all stakeholders (general practitioner, medical specialists, pharmacists, nursing staff, social support, patient and relatives) improved and intensified. But in reality this is lacking to a great extent. In the year under review, the Medical Chamber of Tyrol sent out a circular – which is in the possession of the NPM – expressly recommending all practising office-based doctors to strictly separate medical documentation from nursing documentation in care facilities. They also hold the view that the nursing staff do not have to be informed about diagnoses and medical therapy objectives. It goes without saying that a good collaboration of all professions in the interest of the patients is essential. However, it is not guaranteed in all care facilities. “Tribal thinking” on the part of the medical profession – in other words, the tendency to act separately or even in competition with nursing – is indefensible and unacceptable as far the NPM is concerned. The Federal Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Health and Consumer Protection was informed about this. Qualified nursing staff may not be left in the dark about diagnoses and therapy objectives or where health promotion, prevention, therapy, rehabilitation, palliation, but also safe medication therapy are concerned. After all, they are also responsible for measures to improve the quality of life and should be able to plan the same. Furthermore, the lack of coordination feeds stressful – and expensive – “revolving door effects” if those in need of care are alternating between the nursing home and hospitals at short intervals. Documentation is not merged 36 Medication reviews by medical, pharmaceutical and nursing staff are long since established in the Anglo-American region. This type of cooperation is legally possible in Austria too and is practised in isolated cases. There are also some care facilities in which general practitioners use the nursing home documentation system and document visits and treatments themselves. This helps prevent transcription errors, reduces the workload for nursing staff and improves the safety of residents. Care facilities in which joint nursing rounds and case reviews take place demonstrate how the important nursing home/ general practitioner interface can be optimised. The availability of the doctors is regulated. Treatment by a substitute is guaranteed if the doctor is not on-site or has other commitments. There are also fixed emergency rules which are observed by both sides.