E-prescriptions long overdue in labour-run Wales
Commenting on the news that electronic prescriptions are being rolled out in Wales in phases from January 2024, starting with Wales’ first ever e-prescription launch in Rhyl, Welsh Conservative Shadow Health Minister, Russell George MS said:
“This news is very long overdue, the availability of e-prescriptions has been a requirement for GPs in England since 2019, with over 90% issued in this way at the start of 2023. Labour-run Wales is behind the curve, whether that be for e-prescriptions or even a functioning NHS app.
“The Welsh Conservatives have been calling for a tech bundle for our Welsh NHS, that is why we will be reiterating our calls to phase out old technologies and phase in much needed innovation in our Senedd debate next Wednesday.”
First electronic prescription service launches in Wales
Patients in Rhyl are the first in Wales to benefit from a new electronic prescription service, which allows GPs to send prescriptions securely online to the patient’s choice of community pharmacy, without the need for a paper form.
The new service, launched today [Friday 17 November], makes the prescribing and dispensing of medicines for patients and healthcare professionals easier, safer and more efficient.
For the first time, GPs no longer have to physically print, sign and hand a green paper prescription form to the patient or wait for it to be taken to the pharmacy. Instead, the prescription is sent electronically from the surgery via the IT system to the patient’s chosen pharmacy – even without the patient needing to visit the surgery to pick up a repeat prescription form.
https://www.gov.wales/first-electronic-prescription-service-launches-wales
