EPS Release 2 - Phase 3 (Deployed Disabled)

The Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) allows prescribers working in primary care settings to generate and transmit electronic prescriptions using their computer system.

The electronic prescription is sent to the Electronic Prescription Service on the Spine, where it can be downloaded by a dispenser who has also upgraded their computer system to use EPS.

EPS Release 1 (known as EPS 2 Phase 3 (Deployed Disabled)) is implemented with dual or printed prescriptions:

• Dual prescriptions – This is an unsigned electronic prescription with a signed printed token / FP10. A token looks similar to a paper prescription but has a bar code on it - this allows the pharmacist to obtain details of the prescription from the NCRS. The prescription (token) is printed at the GP surgery and is handed to the patient. At the same time as printing, an XML message is sent to the Spine. Once the pharmacist scans the prescription, the message is retrieved from the Spine and can be dispensed.
• Paper prescriptions – Signed FP10s for items that do not fall in the ETP category (see Medication items not eligible for EPS Phase 3).

Changes for practices moving to EPS 2 - Phase 3 (Deployed Disabled)):

For practices previously using EPS Release 1, moving to EPS 2 -Phase 3 (Deployed Disabled), full EPS R2 phase 3 functionality is present but is switched off by default. However, the following changes are made in Consultation Manager:

• Nomination is a process used for all phases of EPS R2 that gives patients the option to choose, or nominate, a dispensing contractor to which their acute, repeat and repeat dispensing prescriptions can be sent automatically. You can start recording nomination preferences from DLM 320. See Nomination.
• Prescription Manager

• There are Prescriber to Sign and Assign To options which replace the Authorised Signatory box.
• You can refresh the item list by pressing
• If the patient has no nominated pharmacy, then this is disabled and unchecked. If the patient has a nominated pharmacy, then this is checked.
• There is an option to Add a free text Prescription Note . This displays as a reminder on the patient record. When using EPS phase 3, the notes option is useful for bulk signing, see Prescription Manager and EPS for details.

• Therapy List -In the drug select list:
  • displays when a drug is eligible for EPS messaging.
  • displays when a drug is not eligible for EPS messaging.

In this section Prescription Token Points to Note New Prescribers Joining the Practice Adding New Acute Medication Issuing a Repeat Prescription