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Initial implementer sites for Release 2 of the
Electronic Prescription Service
Following the Department of Health (DH) and NHS Connecting for Health (NHS CFH)
invitation for Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) to express an interest in becoming initial implementers for
Release 2 of the Electronic Prescription Service, over one third responded.
As a result of this process the following PCTs have been selected to go live from 1st October 2007.
- Berkshire East
- Leicestershire County and Rutland
- Liverpool
- Southwark
- Sunderland
In addition, the following PCTs have
been selected as a second wave to go live no earlier
than 1st January 2008.
| Berkshire West |
Leeds |
| Birmingham East and North |
North East Lincolnshire |
| Blackburn with Darwin |
Nottingham City |
| City and Hackney |
Nottingham County |
| Haringey |
Suffolk |
| Isle of Wight |
Trafford |
Background to the Electronic Prescription Service
The Electronic Prescription Service enables prescriptions to be generated, transmitted
and received electronically. Dispensers will be able to submit reimbursement endorsements electronically
to a reimbursement authority in order to support payment claims for medication and appliances supplied.
Initially, the Electronic Prescription Service is being introduced in primary care across England, including:
- GP practices
- Community Pharmacies
- Dispensing GP practices
- Dispensing appliance contractors
The Electronic Prescription Service is being introduced using two releases of software, known as Release 1
and Release 2.Implementation of Release 1 is already underway and introduces the technical infrastructure required to
enable prescribers and dispensers to interact with the service. Release 1 brings minimal changes for patients
and staff - the only noticeable difference being the addition of a barcode when prescriptions are printed.
Release 2 provides enhanced functionality for users and will deliver
tangible benefits for patients, prescribers and dispensers. These include for example:
- Patients will have the option to select, or ‘nominate’
a pharmacy or other dispensing contractor to which
their prescription can be sent automatically - without
the need for the patient to collect a prescription
from their GP first.
- A significant reduction in workload for prescribers
and practice staff as a result of simplifying the
repeat prescription management process. This includes
the reduction in work generated by patients requesting
and collecting individual prescriptions and the ability
to make wider use of the repeat dispensing service.
- Freeing dispensing staff from the work associated
with re-keying prescription information, and, because
some electronic prescriptions may be received prior
to the patient arriving, also giving dispensers scope
to streamline workflow by preparing medications in
advance
- Potentially enabling dispensers to manage stock
control more effectively and order out-of-stock items
in a timelier manner
What is the purpose of initial implementation?
It is essential that patient choice and patient safety are maintained throughout the implementation of the
Electronic Prescription Service. To help ensure this, systems provided by third party suppliers which are used in prescribing
and dispensing environments must pass through a rigorous testing process (monitored by NHS CFH). This ensures that the system
meets the technical and safety standards set. The purpose of initial implementation, which follows the technical assurance process,
is to ensure usability of systems, business processes and training and guidance materials
are effective before prior to further deployment.
In order for prescribers within a PCT to be eligible to operate Release 2 (and sign prescriptions electronically)
a Direction needs to be given to the PCT from the Secretary of State. Deployment of the Electronic Prescription Service is also
subject to system suppliers demonstrating that their software is operating correctly. The status of Release 2 systems
will be published here
Any dispensing contractors operating Release 2 compliant systems can dispense electronic prescriptions regardless of whether they
are in selected PCTs or not.
Further information on the Electronic Prescription Service can be found on the Department of Health's website
and NHS CFH's website
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