A new electronic prescription service is launching for patients, starting at Mansion House Surgery in Stone.
The free NHS service is being introduced at a number of GP practices in the Stafford borough, starting with Stone’s Mansion House Surgery on September 15th.
Dr Paddy Hannigan, a local GP and Clinical Lead for IT at Stafford and Surrounds Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) – the healthcare body responsible for introducing the new service to the county town – said:
“The Electronic Prescription Service, or EPS, gives patients the chance to choose to have their prescriptions sent electronically, and securely, from their GP to a pharmacy or dispensing outlet of their choice.
“That means people can choose a pharmacy that is convenient to them, such as one near to work, home or on the route of their weekly shop.
“It also means people won’t have to make a trip to their GP surgery just to collect a prescription, something that will be especially useful to those patients who receive repeat prescriptions.
“Because prescriptions will be prepared in advance, the EPS should also reduce the time patients have to spend waiting in the pharmacy,”
Patients who want to start using EPS can talk to their pharmacist or GP and nominate a pharmacy or dispensing appliance contract (DAC) that they wish to collect their prescriptions from in the future.
Patients who wish to continue to use paper prescriptions do not need to do anything.
Dr Hannigan added:
“Electronic prescribing can be hugely beneficial for patients, GP surgeries and community pharmacies, and makes the process of getting a prescription simpler and more convenient for patients.
“Stafford and Surrounds CCG is working closely with local surgeries and pharmacies to ensure this service is available for all local residents in the coming months.”
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6 comments
Robin Scott
Hi all,
While most patients CAN already order a prescription online from their practice (including Cumberland House), all that is available is a requesting service which would still result in a paper prescription being produced.
They do also participate in repeat prescription collection services whereby the pharmacies can collect the scripts from the practice and have them ready for the patient, but again, this is only a patient script.
EPS will make collecting your prescription more effective by electronically sending the prescription rather than the patient (or the chemist) having to collect it from the surgery.
Jon
Thanks for clarifying Robin
RichardS
Not sure it’s correct to say this service is available “for the first time”. I’ve been ordering my prescription online from the Cumberland House practice for a long time.
Jamie Summerfield
Thanks Richard. We’ll check the press release that was issued by the CCG
Robin Scott
Hi Richard and Jamie, I’ll get you a clarification around this, but the EPS2 system that the press release mentions, which IS launching at Mansio House first, is a more full featured service than what is currently on offer at places like Cumberland House.
tracey burnside
This is all very helpful to some people. But don’t they need to sort out the appointment system and the lack of appointments, especially the lack of urgency if you want an appointment for a child. And don’t start me on the rudeness and unhelpful manner some of the receptionists have!!