26 January 2008

Comment From Mark Johnson, Head of Customer IT From C+D Magazine

I would like to echo a number of the views expressed in the C+D news story of 5 January, indicating the need for a proper deadline for the deployment of EPS release one.

Pharmacy has been accused of not properly engaging with EPS. However, it is becoming apparent that a lack of timeframes - which surely is essential in any project of such a scale - may have muddied the waters and meant that EPS has fallen off pharmacists’ radars in what has been a challenging time for the profession.

The lack of deadline for release one has to a certain extent been compounded by the delay to the rollout of EPS release two. I am sure the delay was no easy decision - yes, not all pharmacies are set up for EPS one and not everything is finalised for release two, but delaying the process further means yet another shift of the goalposts, which will no doubt cost the profession as the benefits of electronic prescriptions are deferred.

For those that have not yet installed release one, I urge you to contact your PMR provider and schedule your upgrade now. The lack of timeframe does not mean that this should slip further down the priority list for pharmacists. Use the extra time available to take control of the implementation and proper rollout of release one in your pharmacy, and ensure that it is properly established and used as an integral part of the pharmacy business. Do not leave this to the last minute and risk being faced with a short deadline set by Connecting for Health and having your PCT recall your IT payment. The UniChem Customer IT helpdesk is here to help and is available for any customers who have queries about EPS or any other aspect of pharmacy IT.

Finally and I feel very importantly - ensure your patients and customers are aware of exactly what EPS means for them. This will be a huge step in ensuring the system works for the pharmacy profession.

EPS is here to stay - so let’s make sure it is a success!

Mark Johnson
Head of Customer IT, UniChem

For more information please contact:
Sanam Conway, Communications Executive: 0208 974 4045
Helena Bate, Communications Manager: 0208 974 4044