Paperless Prescriptions
Starting in mid-May 2015 Ball Tree will be able to send your prescriptions to a pharmacy of your choice electronically.
This is NEW and it is DIFFERENT from our current arrangements where you have asked us for certain pharmacists to pick up your prescriptions on your behalf.
You will need to actively let your pharmacist or us know if you want to use this service. It will require you to read some information and provide your consent.
Your choice is called your 'nomination'
Start using EPS
Nomination means you choose a place for your GP practice to electronically send your prescription to.
You don't need a computer to use EPS. You can choose up to one of each of the following:
- a pharmacy
- a dispensing appliance contractor (if you use one) (for medical devices)
What if you change your mind?
You can change your nomination or cancel it and get a paper prescription.
If you don't want your prescription to be sent electronically just tell your GP.
If you want to change or cancel your nomination speak to any pharmacist or dispensing appliance contractor that offers EPS, or your GP practice.
Tell them before your next prescription is due or your prescription may be sent to the wrong place.
Does this really work?
EPS is reliable, secure and confidential.
Who has access to your information?
Your electronic prescription will be seen by the same people in GP practices, pharmacies and NHS prescription payment and fraud agencies that see your paper prescription now.
Sometimes dispensers may see that you have nominated another dispenser. For example, if you forget who you have nominated and ask them to check or, if you have nominated more than one dispenser.
Dispensers will also see all the items on your reorder slip if you are on repeat prescriptions.
This information has been provided by the HSCIC.
Benefits of paperless prescriptions
Key benefits
- If you collect repeat prescriptions you will not have to visit your GP practice just to pick up your paper prescription. Instead, your GP will send the prescription electronically to the place you choose, saving you time.
- The prescription is an electronic message so there is no paper prescription to lose.
- You will have more choice about where to get your medicines from because they can be collected from a pharmacy near to where you live, work or shop.
- If the prescription needs to be cancelled the GP can electronically cancel and issue a new prescription without you having to return to the practice – saving you extra trips.
- You may not have to wait as long at the pharmacy as your repeat prescriptions can be made ready before you arrive.
Who would benefit most?
People who ...
- don't want to come to Ball Tree every time to collect repeat prescriptions
- collect your medicines from the same place most of the time
- use a prescription collection service now.
You will not get as many benefits, if you:
- don't get prescriptions very often or
- pick up your medicines from different places.
- This information is provided by the HSCIC