Last updated:
 14th July 2008

Contacts for EPS Smartcard Problems
All calls relating to smartcard issues should be logged with Anglia Support Partnership Helpdesk
email: aspitservicedesk@asp.nhs.uk
Tel: 0800 996996 8.30-5pm (Monday to Friday)

See the flow chart which helps you to identify the route for dealing with EPS problems:
Cambs Flow Chart        Peterborough Flow Chart

 PSNC EPS/ETP information, click here

EPS Release 1: PSNC Key Messages for Pharmacy Contractors
 Approximately 70% of community pharmacies are now Release 1 technically enabled and over 45m prescription messages have been sent via the Service. System suppliers are currently working to upgrade their systems for Release 2 and at least one pharmacy system supplier is now known to have entered the Release 2 compliance testing process. To ensure a smooth transition to Release 2, it will be important for pharmacies to have deployed Release 1 and to have used the system where possible to identify any problems.

Key Message 1: Contractors should move to deploying Release 1 if they have not already done so
 The main benefit of Release 1 is that the pharmacy contractor will have put the necessary infrastructure in place to support much quicker roll out of EPS Release 2. Potential operational benefits include efficiencies in processing repeat prescriptions received in a batch, for example through a repeat collection service as well as providing pharmacy contractors the opportunity to collect patient NHS numbers in their local systems. An individual’s NHS number will be required to nominate patients during EPS Release 2. As outlined in the Drug Tariff, if a pharmacy has not deployed Release 1 of the Service by a date, yet to be determined, PCTs will be able to reclaim the £2600 one-off EPS Allowance which was paid to pharmacies in 2005/06. It is likely that the Release 1 payment cut-off date will be announced later this year with at least three months notice provided. Key suppliers are currently reporting an average of 6 – 8 weeks to arrange installation of connectivity and necessary upgrades. Therefore there are benefits in contractors placing orders now to ensure they can have the system installed at a time convenient for them.

Key Message 2: Contractors should use their Release 1 system where practical to identify any problems in advance of the EPS becoming business critical in Release 2.
Although a large proportion of community pharmacies are now technically enabled, the service is only being used to dispense less than 1% of daily prescription volume. It is essential that pharmacies use the system where practical to ensure that any problems, such as the speed of the system, are identified before the service becomes business critical.

Key Message 3: Contractors should report any problems to their pharmacy system supplier
 If pharmacy contractors identify problems with their EPS Release 1 enabled system, for example if there are delays in downloading messages (for example, more then 10 – 15 seconds), they need to report this to their system supplier so that this can be investigated fully and action can be taken to resolve the problem. Reports from contractors suggest that performance varies between pharmacy systems. If a pharmacy contractor is concerned that the supplier is not taking action to resolve the problem or if the problem persists, they should report this to the EPS Lead at the PCT who can escalate the issue to the CfH Helpdesk.
 

EPS R2 Initial Implementer Sites Announced
Five PCTs have been selected to go live from 1st October 2007 with another twelve chosen as a second wave to go live no earlier than 1st January 2008. The Release 2 stage is made up of a transition phase aiming to make the move away from a parallel paper and electronic service to one where electronic prescriptions predominate. Finally, once a majority of users are able to operate the transitional service, the final phase (full ETP) will be implemented. At this stage the default position will be the issue of a digitally signed prescription with hand signed paper prescriptions only issued if there is a specific reason to do so. During the transition phase PCT proposed sites will be compared against agreed criteria, details of which can be found in the Pharmacy IT section of the PSNC website. Information is also available on the NHS Connecting for Health website.