Bradford wants EPS R2 from September

NHS Bradford and Airedale has announced plans to roll-out Release 2 of the Electronic Prescription Service in four waves.

The primary care trust has applied for permission from the health secretary to use EPS R2 from September.

The vast majority of GP practices in the PCT use TPP’s SystmOne, which was the first GP system supplier to be accredited for EPS R2.

NHS Bradford and Airedale said the system would make it easier for patients to get their medicines and reduce the paper mountain for pharmacists.

The PCT said its pharmacy team was working with pharmacists and GPs to make sure their systems were ready for the autumn roll-out.

Release 2 includes increased functionality for pharmacists, GPs and patients including nomination of pharmacies, electronic prescription signing and electronic repeat dispensing.

Dr Chris Harris, from the Holycroft surgery in Keighley, said he was looking forward to using EPS R2. He added: “It will mean greater convenience for patients who won’t need to order their regular repeat prescriptions as often – and reduce the workload placed on GP practices.”

Rachel Urban, community pharmacy development manager, said: “The EPS will make life much easier for many patients, particularly those receiving regular prescriptions, whilst improving the efficiency and reducing the administrative burden for GPs and pharmacists.”

Two GP system suppliers, TPP and INPS, and two pharmacy system suppliers, Cegedim Rx and Rx are currently involved in EPS R2 sites.

EPS R2 will only be available to EMIS users through its next generation system EMIS Web, currently in first of type accreditation testing.

Latest statistics from NHS Connecting for Health show that 85% of GP practices and 87% of practices have gone live with release one of EPS and more than 300m prescription messages have been transmitted electronically.