More GPs than ever are aware of the updated electronic prescription service (EPS), a survey shows.
An online poll of more than 200 GPs shows 59% are now aware that patients can nominate any authorised pharmacy for prescriptions through EPS release two.
The same survey 12 months previous showed only 42% of GPs were aware of the technology.
According to NHS Connecting for Health, 422 GP practices are now enabled for EPS R2 and a total of 989,001 patient nominations have been set.
“As the pace of EPS R2 picks up, it is great to see a corresponding rise in GPs’ understanding of the new system – especially in the important area of widening patient choice,” said Dr Julian Harrison, director of mail order pharmacy Pharmacy2U, who commissioned the survey.
The EPS release two technology allows patients to manage repeat prescriptions without having to visit their GP surgery and medication can be delivered free of charge to their home or work.
Dr Donya Young, a GP at the Wickham Park Surgery in south London said: “At first, we thought the service would be for our mainly elderly population, but the commuters like it too. Quite a few work in London and find collecting prescriptions difficult.”
