How does the EPS work?
The way that you get your prescription is passed between your GP practice and the place you get your medication or appliance is changing.
First stage
Over the past year or so, you may have noticed that your prescription form has had a barcode printed on it. This means that it was produced using the first stage of the new Electronic Prescription Service.
Second stage
Now, the EPS is moving to the next stage of the service where there is less need for you to receive a paper prescription – unless you want one.
At first, if you want your GP to send your prescription electronically, you must choose, or ‘nominate’, a place to receive your electronic prescriptions. This could be a pharmacy, dispensing appliance contractor or your GP practice if you are entitled to collect medication from there.
Nomination works in a similar way to a prescription collection service where the pharmacy collects your prescription for you – instead of you having to collect it from your GP practice. The main difference with nomination is that your prescription will be sent electronically and you don’t have to nominate a place that is close to your GP practice. For example, you could choose to nominate a place that is convenient to where you live, work or shop.
Security and confidentiality
The Electronic Prescription Service is:
- reliable;
- secure; and
- confidential.
Only authorised members of staff working in your GP practice, pharmacy and/or dispensing appliance contractor will be able to view your electronic prescription.