Implementing the Electronic Prescription Service in Wales

EPS is the digital signing and managing of patient prescriptions. Instead of using a paper form, EPS means a GP or other prescriber can send a prescription directly to the pharmacy or dispensing appliance contractor (DAC) nominated by the patient electronically. 

About the project 

EPS is one of the biggest changes in decades to the way NHS Wales manages prescriptions.  

It is a key part of Digital Medicines Programmes managed by Digital Health and Care Wales (DHCW). DHCW is using digital tools to make the prescribing, dispensing and administration of medicines in Wales easier, safer, more efficient and more effective. 

Implementing electronic prescriptions is part of this digital transformation, and community pharmacy system suppliers are a vital part of making sure Wales is ready for EPS.  

The development of EPS is supported by the Community Pharmacy System Innovation Fund (CPSIF), which was established by Life Sciences Hub Wales and Digital Medicine Programmes on behalf of Welsh Government. 

CPSIF provides financial support to community pharmacy system suppliers through grant funding. A structured funding model ensures suppliers have the necessary resources to deliver solutions aligned with EPS roll out. 

Laurence James, Head of Medicines Programmes at DHCW, said:  

“The Digital Medicines programme is incredibly exciting. Everyone can see the value of it, not just for patients but for healthcare professionals too. Our biggest challenge is not persuading people that it's a good idea, but actually meeting demand and at pace. It is a privilege to be part of something that will transform the way the medicines are managed within healthcare.” 

How does it work? 

EPS is free and secure, and patients do not need to go online to use the service. They simply ask staff at their GP practice or usual pharmacy to sign them up. 

There’s no need for the traditional green paper form to be printed and collected from the surgery. It is sent electronically directly to the dispenser of the patient’s choice. 

A key benefit of a digital system is the resulting audit trail. If patients do not know the status of their prescription, they will often call their GP practice or their usual community pharmacy. Staff will then spend time investigating, often needing to call the other site to check where the prescription is. EPS means there is a quick way to track prescriptions, saving everyone time. 

Benefits 

The introduction of EPS in Wales represents a significant step forward in the digital transformation of healthcare services. It is improving the safety, efficiency and convenience of prescribing processes for healthcare professionals and patients. 

There are numerous benefits, which are already being seen by clinicians and patients. For example, GP practices report spending less time searching for prescriptions because it is easy to see the status of a prescription in the system. Other feedback from pharmacies and GPs includes ‘EPS is game-changing’ and ‘It’s the best thing we’ve ever done!’ Many of the benefits are around saving time – for patients, prescribers, pharmacy staff and GP staff. EPS also reduces the amount of printing needed, which has financial and environmental benefits. 

Jenny Pugh-Jones, Programme Oversight Chair for EPS in Wales, said:  

“Working with a range of organisations on this project has been a really positive experience. EPS brings benefits to patients, prescribers, community pharmacies and other dispensers. At the end of the day, we’re all trying to improve things for patients and for the service overall, so healthcare professionals can have more time with patients.”