Written question WQ94127
- Asked by
- Andrew RT DaviesConservative
- To be answered by
- Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 7 days
Question
How is the Welsh Government supporting the implementation of electronic prescription services in community pharmacies in Wales, and when is the rollout predicted to be complete?
Answer
Answered by Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing
Through our Welsh Government Digital Priorities Investment Fund (DPIF) we are supporting Digital Health and Care Wales (DHCW) to deliver the Primary Care Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) programme. A dedicated team is assisting GPs and community pharmacies to become EPS-ready by providing information, guidance and signposting to resources to enable a seamless transition.
An EPS advisory group, including representatives from health boards, Community Pharmacy Wales and members of Local Medical Committees, collaborate on the EPS implementation schedule. The EPS programme team is working with community pharmacy system suppliers to ensure their systems are EPS-ready. Suppliers are encouraged to develop EPS capability through the Community Pharmacy System Innovation Fund (CPSIF). The EPS implementation team is available to offer support to those pharmacy chains which prefer to provide their own training.
The EPS programme aims to have all Community Pharmacy System Suppliers in Wales assured for EPS use by April 2025, contingent on successful technical developments and assurance processes.
Currently, four suppliers are assured, two are entering testing, and two are preparing for testing with DHCW. Once all suppliers are assured, EPS can be activated in pharmacies.
The roll out to all community pharmacies and GP practices is planned to be completed in September 2027.