Patients in Conwy are the second community in Wales to use the new electronic prescription service (EPS). Electronic prescriptions are now being sent from Llanfairfechan’s Plas Menai Surgery to two local pharmacies, Boots in Llanfairfechan and Gwynan Edwards in Penmaenmawr.

EPS allows GPs and other healthcare prescribers to send prescriptions securely online to a community pharmacy chosen by the patient.

Clinicians no longer have to print and sign the familiar green paper prescription form, which has been used to dispense medicines in Wales for more than 60 years. There is also no need for patients or pharmacy staff to pick up their prescriptions from the surgery – instead, the GP sends it directly to the pharmacy by computer.

Sarah Michaelson, Plas Menai Surgery Practice Manager, said:

“With a few tweaks and issues to resolve, the move to live testing was a success overall. We are now looking forward to the full benefits of EPS, including a smoother service for patients as we will now be able to follow their prescription throughout its electronic journey.”

Once a pharmacy is live with electronic prescribing, patients register simply by telling pharmacy or GP staff they want to use electronic prescriptions. The patient does not need to use a computer, smartphone or laptop as staff will be able to arrange this for you.

The delivery of an EPS in Wales is a key part of the Digital Medicines Transformation Portfolio, which on behalf of Welsh Government has brought together the programmes and projects that will deliver the benefits of a fully digital prescribing approach in all healthcare settings in Wales.