Patient Experience of Electronic Prescription Service in North Somerset
Download (PDF 826.02 KB)Summary of report content
In 2016, Healthwatch North Somerset completed an evaluation of Electronic Prescription
Service (EPS). It was recognised that prescription services, and in particular the Electronic Prescription
Service adopted by GPs, was mentioned several times in the period between April and June 2016 and on that basis it was recommended that more feedback was collected on this specific topic to gauge public understanding of the system.
A total of 27 responses (14 negative and 13 positive) survey responses are attributed directly to the Electronic Prescription Service.
The aim was to summarise the feedback received by local people with regard to the EPS system, to identify any lack of understanding and to provide clarification of the system.
The findings include these below:
• Clear information would enable patients to decide if they would benefit from using the Electronic Prescription Service.
• Clear information would enable patients to make informed choices about the management of their prescriptions and medications.
• The service may especially benefit the older populations of the county if they live in rural areas.
Healthwatch North Somerset recommends the following based on the feedback received by the public.
• Recommend raising awareness of the public on the Electronic Prescription Service including prominent publicity in GP surgeries and pharmacies to dispel the myths surrounding the system and aid greater understanding.
At the time of being published the report contained no response to the finding shared with the Local Pharmaceutical Committee, North Somerset Council, North Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group and North Somerset Community Partnership (NSCP).