EPS Directions

PCTs to be added to the EPS Authorisation Directions from 1 February 2011

The Department of Health confirms that 24 PCTs will be listed in The Primary Medical Services (Electronic Prescription Service Authorisation) Directions 2008 as amended (the EPS Authorisation Directions) as those able to authorise their primary medical services contractors or any practice established by the PCT to use Release 2 of the Electronic Prescription Service, from 1 February 2011, following a three month notice period. This will bring the total number of authorised PCTs to 51, from 1 February 2011.

More details are on the DH website.

Release 2 of the Electronic Prescription Service, where prescriptions can be transmitted electronically, introduces significant benefits for patients, prescribers and dispensers. These directions, which came into force on 1 December 2008, enable the first 17 PCTs (release 2 initial implementers) listed in the schedule to authorise their primary medical services contractors or any practice established by the PCT to use the electronic transmission of prescriptions (ETP) service. The directions are accompanied by guidance for all PCTs, to support their implementation.

Amendment directions which came into force on 1 July 2009 and correct the names of two of the 17 PCTs listed in the schedule can also be found at the above weblink.  Further amending directions came into force on 1 May 2010 adding a further 10 PCTs to the list in the schedule.