Some patients who use medical devices and equipment given on prescription are now able to sign up for a convenient service, following successful testing by a number of appliance contractors in Wales.
Patients whose GP practices use the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) can nominate, or choose, a dispensing appliance contractor (DAC) to receive their prescription electronically from the surgery. This means that the paper prescription form no longer needs to be posted, resulting in a more efficient service.
Nightingale, Respond and Fittleworth have successfully tested software developed by Clanwilliam to enable them to receive electronic prescriptions. The system supplier was approved to support the roll out of EPS in community pharmacies in Wales in August and underwent an additional phase of testing to support DACs too.
Dispensing appliance contractors provide devices to about 26,000 patients in Wales.
Jenny Pugh-Jones, Programme Oversight Chair for EPS in Wales, said: “This is another significant step forward for EPS in Wales. Thousands of patients rely on dispensing appliance contractors for essential medical devices and items, and EPS makes this process easier and more efficient.”
Eileen Byrne, Managing Director of Clanwilliam, said: “We’re thrilled to support the rollout of EPS to dispensing appliance contractors in Wales. This milestone reflects our commitment to making healthcare more efficient and accessible, enabling patients to receive essential medical supplies more smoothly and quickly.”
Kevin Hodges, Membership Engagement Manager of the British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA), said: “BHTA dispensing appliance contractor members based in Wales and England welcome the continued roll out of EPS across Wales. EPS provides the patient with their requirements in a much more efficient way, reducing the time between the prescription being authorised by the prescriber and delivered to the patient. BHTA continues to collaborate with the EPS team as the roll out gathers pace.”
EPS is a key part of the Digital Medicines national transformation programme, managed by Digital Health and Care Wales (DHCW).
With EPS, the prescription can be sent immediately to the DAC, without the need for it to be posted. Prescriptions can be tracked from the practice to the dispenser, meaning staff can see at all times where it is.
The service is free, more efficient and secure. Patients who want to use EPS do not need to go online or use a laptop or smartphone. They simply tell staff at their chosen pharmacy or dispenser that they would like to use the service.
To find out more visit https://dhcw.nhs.wales/eps
