Thursday 17 August 2017

The Importance of the NHS Electronic Prescription Service England


NHS Electronic Prescription Service

The NHS Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) allows a registered GP practice, or a nurse, to send prescriptions to a pharmacy through the internet. The service makes the prescribing and dispensing process more convenient and easy for GP practices, pharmacies as well as patients.

The NHS Electronic Prescription Service England is into a talking point since many years. There are many pharmacies working to run this service forward, offering an important insight into the workflow that is exceptional.


The Background of the NHS Electronic Prescription Service

  • EPS Release 1 (R1)
The EPS R1 was initiated in the year 2007, which is currently employed by nearly 90% of high street pharmacies in England. The service is designed to keep the fundamentals of the EPS in one place and to safeguard the compatibility between the IT systems utilised by every GP practice and pharmacy.

The NHS Electronic Prescription Service Release 1 uses N3 broadband technology to allow a GP practice to send online prescriptions to pharmacies. The prescriptions are downloaded in the pharmacy’s computer with a specific barcode scan printed on FP10 prescription script. It is estimated that more than 1.5 million prescriptions are issued in England daily.
  • EPS Release 2 (R2)
This is the second phase of the NHS electronic prescription service that is implemented to improve the proficiency and competency of the prescribing and dispensing process. One of the important features of EPS R2 is that you can nominate the pharmacy that is convenient to you. With EPS R2, prescriptions are sent from the GP to the nominated pharmacy electronically. Hence, nominating a pharmacy is essential with EPS R2.

Benefits

The NHS Electronic Prescription Service reduces the workload for re-entering the prescription information. Patients can get their medicines before even they arrive in the store. The service allows a smooth workflow by allowing a pharmacist to prepare prescriptions in advance.

Moreover, it also helps with the stock management and pharmacies offering the NHS EPS will no longer have to pick up paper prescriptions for patients in person.

Pharmacy Outlet is an online pharmacy that offers the NHS Electronic Prescription Service. Make sure you nominate Pharmacy Outlet to get started with EPS. Call 03333 222 400 to learn more about the service.