The roll out of electronic prescribing in Wales is continuing at pace, with Positive Solutions becoming the latest health tech provider to have its software approved for full use in its community pharmacies.
Positive Solutions is the third supplier to be given the go-ahead to use its Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) technology in Wales. They join Invatech and Boots in successfully developing and testing their pharmacy system to be able to receive prescriptions electronically.
EPS allows GPs and other prescribers to send prescriptions electronically to the pharmacy of the patient’s choice. In most cases, there’s no longer a need for the green paper form to be printed and taken to the pharmacy, reducing the use of paper in Wales and helping the environment.
EPS is a key part of the Digital Medicines transformation programme, managed by Digital Health and Care Wales, and is making the process of prescribing and dispensing medicines safer, easier and more efficient for patients and health care professionals,
Jenny Pugh-Jones, who is leading the Primary Care EPS programme, said:
“It’s exciting to see Positive Solutions gain approval to use its technology in pharmacies across Wales. The collaboration between Positive Solutions and Digital Medicines to reach this significant milestone has been fantastic, and we look forward to more patients benefiting from electronic prescriptions as Positive Solutions starts to roll its software out to pharmacies across Wales.”
Steve Russell, Positive Solutions Chief Commercial Officer, said:
“We’re delighted to be helping to lead the roll out of the EPS programme in Wales. Our pharmacy customers know the benefits this change will bring, both for them and their patients, and we’re excited to support them on this journey. At Positive Solutions we have a long and successful heritage of driving innovation in community pharmacy. Through a strong collaboration with NHS Wales, we have showcased yet again, just how powerful technology can be in delivering transformation in this sector.”
EPS was launched in Rhyl, Denbighshire, in November 2023 and is now being used at a number of sites in north and south Wales. Roll out to all pharmacies and GP practices will begin in a phased approach this summer and will be done as quickly and as safely as possible.
Moving from paper to digital is a complex process, which relies on GP and community pharmacy IT suppliers building functionality into their systems to be able to send and receive electronic prescriptions securely. A number of other suppliers are in the process of upgrading their pharmacy system technology ready for use in Wales.
This development has been supported by the Community Pharmacy System Innovation Fund, established by Life Sciences Hub Wales (LSHW) and Digital Medicines on behalf of Welsh Government.
Cari-Anne Quinn, Life Science Hub Wales’ Chief Executive, said:
"The approval of Positive Solutions' software for electronic prescribing is a significant achievement. It represents another step forward in our mission to improve healthcare delivery and efficiency across Wales, benefiting both patients and healthcare professionals."
The move away from a paper-based prescription process to a digital service is one of the biggest changes to healthcare in decades and relies on GP and community pharmacy IT systems being able to send and receive electronic prescriptions securely.
To find out more visit https://dhcw.nhs.wales/digital-medicines
