Prescription Service Posted or Updated on 17 Jul 2024

What is the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS)?

The Electronic Prescription Service, or EPS, enables prescriptions to be sent electronically from the GP surgery to a pharmacy or dispenser of your choice.

With EPS, you would no longer need to collect paper prescriptions from the surgery as a it can be sent securely to your nominated pharmacy where you usually collect your medicines or medical appliances.

EPS is an established service that has been available for many years. It is easy to use, and you don't need access to a computer or electronic device.

The importance of using EPS during the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the COVID-19 pandemic we are all asked to reduce unnecessary journeys, reduce social contact and protect vulnerable patients in line with national guidance. EPS can help to prevent unnecessary visits to the GP surgery, as patients and pharmacy staff will no longer need to collect paper prescriptions. EPS can also help to reduce waiting times at both the GP surgery and the pharmacy.

How do I start using EPS?

Firstly, you will need to choose the pharmacy or dispenser that will dispense your prescribed medicines.

Your pharmacy of choice will be referred to as your nominated pharmacy and this nomination can be added to your record by the GP  surgery or the pharmacy. 

By increasing the number of prescriptions that are processed electronically via EPS we will be helping to reduce exposure to COVID-19 for both our patients and healthcare staff.

Someone from the surgery may contact you to discuss EPS and your preferences for a nominated pharmacy. In the meantime, please feel free to ask your pharmacist about pharmacy nominations, or record it yourself if you use an online access app. If you are not sure which pharmacy you would like to nominate, you may wish to use the link below to identify pharmacies and dispensers available for to you: www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhsservices/pharmacies

You can change or cancel your nominated pharmacy or dispenser at any time. Simply speak to the surgery or pharmacist before your next order. Your nomination will only be added or changed at your request. If you currently use both a pharmacy and a dispensing appliance contractor, it is still possible to use EPS and have two nominated dispensers for your prescriptions.

Please contact the surgery for more information.