Patients in a Powys community are benefiting from easier and safer prescribing, thanks to a service that sends prescriptions electronically from their GP practice to their chosen pharmacy or dispenser.
The Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) is now being used at the Builth and Llanwrtyd Wells Medical Practice, which is working in partnership with Boots pharmacies in Llandrindod Wells and Builth Wells, and HOW Pharm Ltd (Llanwrtyd Pharmacy) in Llanwrtyd Wells. EPS means there is no need for patients or pharmacy staff to pick up prescriptions from the surgery and it also reduces the amount of paper used by NHS Wales, as GPs and other prescribers no longer have to print and sign a paper form.
Builth and Llanwrtyd Wells Medical Practice is the first in Powys to use EPS, with others set to follow in the near future. EPS was launched in Wales last year and is being rolled out as quickly and safely as possible.
Patients who want to use EPS do not need to go online or use a laptop or smartphone. They simply ask staff at the practice, pharmacy or other dispensing service to sign them up.
Amanda Walters, Head of Primary Care at Powys Teaching Health Board, said:
“This is really good news for these communities – having access to this service will make life so much easier for patients; reducing the amount of time and travel they need to expend to obtain their medicines.”
Jenny Pugh-Jones, Programme Oversight Chair of the Electronic Prescription Service in Wales, said:
“I’m delighted to see the successful launch of EPS in Powys, which brings us another step closer to digital transformation across Wales.
“EPS makes the prescribing process easier, more efficient and safer for patients and healthcare staff and, with 40 million paper prescriptions printed in Wales each year, it is good for the environment too. The service will make a real difference in Builth Wells and the surrounding area and I look forward to it coming to other surgeries and pharmacies in Powys soon.”
EPS is helping NHS Wales improve patient care. The service is a key part of the Digital Medicines transformation programme, managed by Digital Health and Care Wales.
