Electronic Prescription Service

The Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) will be deployed in two phases (Releases 1 and 2) and the ability of pharmacy practices will be dependent on:

• The pharmacy PMR system must be capable of processing EPS bar-coded prescriptions. The system must be authorised by Connecting for Health (CfH), have a bar code reader and accept smart card validation of the responsible pharmacist.
• The system must have a secure broadband connection to the N3 network (Please note this is a specialist connection that can only be provided by a very few suppliers).
• The pharmacist in charge and regular locums of the pharmacy claiming the EPS funding must have been issued with a smartcard by their local registering authority.

Below are the forms need by pharmacists who have yet to apply for a Smartcard; download and read the Terms and Conditions, complete and submit the application form (EPS01) following the guidelines in the How to get a Smartcard document. 

For those who have their card, but have yet to access their PIN follow the instruction on the PIN letter below; for those who have forgotton their PIN or locked their card or require renewal of the certificate on their card see the national guidance documents and local Problems with your Smartcard document below.

Release 2 is getting closer and it is important that we fully use this opportunity to test the systems and change our dispensing operating procedures to incorporate the scanning of bar-codes and downloading of e-prescriptions. In preparing for Release 2 each pharmacy should now have a Release 1 Premises Card so that when pharmacists' cards are upgraded the pharmacy can continue to operate Release 1 until the transition to Release 2 happens. Application forms for Release 2 cards (RA01) have now been issued by some PCTs; see below for copies of the form and guidance.

The PPSA are managing the card processes for NHS Hampshire and NHS Southampton; NHS IOW and NHS Portsmouth are currently managing the process for their own pharmacists and pharmacies.

When submitting your ETP Allowance Claim Form (ETP1) please send to the pharmacy lead for your PCT:

• Portsmouth - Janet Bowhill at St James' Hospital, Locksway Rd, Portsmouth

• Southampton - Sue Lawton at PCT HQ, Oakley Road, Southampton

• IOW - Kevin Noble at St Mary's Hospital, Newport

• Hampshire - Pharmacy Contracts section at Omega House, Eastleigh

  This page will be updated with the latest information on the service and below you will find all the relevent documents associated with it.

All queries concerning this page and its content should be directed to LPC Office.