A digital service described by healthcare staff as ‘game-changing’ and ‘the best thing we’ve ever done’ is now available in more than 50% of community pharmacies in Wales.
The Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) Programme, which is led by Digital Health and Care Wales (DHCW) and makes the prescribing process easier and safer for patients and healthcare professionals, reached the milestone this month as a phased rollout to all communities in Wales gathers momentum.
EPS includes a prescription tracking tool allowing pharmacy and GP staff to see at all times where a prescription is, which isn’t possible with paper prescriptions.
Pharmacist Steffan John of Fferyllwyr Llyn in Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd, said:
“EPS has been a massive change for the better for the pharmacy and has saved so much time already. We no longer have to call the GP surgery numerous times a day to track down prescriptions. It’s been game-changing, really.”
Seven community pharmacy systems have been assured to roll out EPS across Wales, supported by one GP system. Fferyllwyr Llyn started using EPS in September 2024 using Invatech’s Titan Patient Medication Record (PMR) software.
Steffan added:
“Our patients have really noticed the difference and have been surprised by how much quicker it can be. They don’t have to bring over a piece of paper, and by the time they get to us their prescription has been dispensed and is waiting on the shelf.
“Using EPS has allowed us to have a paperless dispensary. Prescriptions are clinically checked on screen, which generates a pick list for dispensing staff on a hand-held device. Labels are then produced by scanning the product barcode. The process is completely paperless as even the claiming is done electronically via the PMR."
“Most of our patients in Blaenau Ffestiniog are local, but we have seven pharmacies in Gwynedd and those on the Llyn Peninsula see a lot of tourists on holiday from England. EPS makes it easier to process their prescriptions when they are visiting.”
EPS marks one of the biggest changes in decades to the way NHS Wales manages prescriptions, and brings a number of benefits to patients, healthcare staff and the environment. These include fewer calls between the pharmacy and GP surgery, a move towards reducing the need to print prescriptions and saved journeys for patients and staff.
The service is live at around 15% of GP practices, a figure which is increasing every week. It is also available at 75% of dispensing appliance contractors, which dispense medical appliances and equipment given on prescription. DHCW is working with health boards, GP practices and pharmacies to make EPS available across Wales as quickly and safely as possible.
Gareth Rowe is a pharmacist at Nantymoel and Ogmore Vale pharmacies in Bridgend, which were pilot sites for Optum’s (formerly EMIS) Proscript Connect PMR software. Gareth said:
“I think the best thing has been the transparency. Up until now, if we can’t find the prescription we’ve had to phone the surgery, but now we can see exactly where it is at all times on the tracker.
“One misconception among patients is that they no longer have to order their prescription. They do still have to order it in the same way as usual, but the GP then sends it digitally to us. Patients seem to be happy with the service and we have had lots of interest from other pharmacies in the area which are going live with EPS soon. We are also guiding people towards the NHS Wales App so that the order process and prescription process can be virtually paperless.”
Simon Nelson, pharmacist and owner of Nelson's Pharmacy in Tredegar, Blaenau Gwent, which uses Cegedim Rx’s Pharmacy Manager software, said:
“For the pharmacy, it's so much easier because now there's full visibility and traceability for the GP, the pharmacy and for the patient about where their prescription is at any given time.
“Patients are astounded to learn that they can now have their prescription sent electronically instead of having to chase around for it. For the GP surgery, they save time and effort because there's no paper. The doctor signs those prescriptions electronically. For the pharmacy, we receive them electronically and for the patient it's much more of a seamless process and they can be far more assured of where their prescription is at any one time.”
In addition to Invatech, Optum and Cegedim Rx, system suppliers Boots, PharmacyX, Positive Solutions and Clanwilliam have been assured to roll out EPS in community pharmacies in Wales.
EPS is supported by the Community Pharmacy System Innovation Fund (CPSIF), which was established by Life Sciences Hub Wales and Digital Medicines on behalf of Welsh Government.
DHCW recently contacted staff who have been using EPS for some time and, when asked how the service is working on the ground, gave overwhelmingly positive feedback. Comments include:
"EPS is the best thing we've ever done. The GP has more time for patient care – we love it!"
Shafraz Mohideen, Practice Manager at Lakeside Medical Centre, Rhyl, Denbighshire.
"We want more GPs in the area to go live with EPS so we can see increased benefits."
Charlotte Smith, Pharmacist at Wellington Road Pharmacy, Rhyl, Denbighshire.
“We’re receiving fewer phone calls to trace prescriptions and using less paper.”
Sarah Michaelson, Practice Manager at Plas Menai Surgery, Llanfairfechan, Conwy.
"It’s the best thing that’s happened to the practice.”
Helen Stone, GP Partner at Cadwgan Surgery, Old Colwyn, Conwy.
“We're seeing an approximate 75% reduction in the paper prescriptions being processed by reception for signing and we felt supported throughout.”
Enid Thomas, Practice Manager, Meddygfa Gwydir Surgery, Llanrwst, Conwy.
“Prescriptions no longer go missing and it’s better than we ever expected. It’s made a huge difference in the pharmacy, completely changing the workflows to increase efficiency.”
Bernadette Beddall, Business Support Officer, Canolfan Goffa Ffestiniog.
EPS Programme Oversight Chair Jenny Pugh-Jones said:
“Reaching the milestone of 50% of community pharmacies in Wales being live with EPS is a fantastic achievement and testament to the dedicated joint working of pharmacy staff, GPs, our EPS programme team and every health board in Wales.
“There is still a lot of work to do to ensure EPS reaches every community and in achieving a high level of adoption, but we’re delighted to see the benefits it is bringing to healthcare professionals and patients as it rolls out across Wales.”
To find out more and to see the full list of practices and pharmacies using EPS, visit Digital Health and Care's website.
