Electronic Prescriptions service (EPSR2)
EPS is a NHS funded service in England. It enables prescribers such as GP and practice nurses to send prescriptions electronically to a pharmacy of their choice. For more information on EPS, please visit http://systems.hscic.gov.uk/eps/patients
In the future EPS will be default option for prescribing, dispensing and reimbursement of prescriptions for primary care in England. From April 2016 the practice has started transition of moving some patients to paperless prescriptions. We have had a good uptake and encourage more patients to sign up for EPS.
Start using EPS
So if you want to sign up, you can complete a nomination form online and print it out and hand it in, or collect one from reception desk or at any dispensing pharmacist that offers EPS.
Nomination means you choose a place for your GP practice to electronically send your prescription to. You don't need a computer to use EPS. You can choose up to one of each of the following:
- a pharmacy
- a dispensing appliance contractor (if you use one)
- Your dispensing GP practice (if you are eligible).
You can change your nomination or cancel it and get a paper prescription. If you don't want your prescription to be sent electronically just tell your GP. If you want to change or cancel your nomination speak to any pharmacist or dispensing appliance contractor that offers EPS before your next prescription is due.
EPS is reliable, secure and confidential. Your electronic prescription will be seen by the same people in GP practices, pharmacies and NHS prescription payment and fraud agencies that see your paper prescription now.
Benefits
- If you collect repeat prescriptions you will not have to visit your GP practice to pick up your paper prescription. Instead your GP will send the prescription electronically to the place you choose.
- The prescription is an electronic message so there is no paper prescription to lose.
- You will have more choice about where to get your medicines from because they can be collected from a pharmacy near to where you live, work or shop.
- You may not have to wait as long at the pharmacy as your repeat prescriptions can be made ready before you arrive.
- If the prescription needs to be cancelled the GP can electronically cancel and issue a new prescription without you having to return to the practice.