Twenty five NHS trusts across the UK are to receive a share of £26m in government funding to replace current paper-based prescriptions with a digital alternative.
The Department of Health and Social Care claims that the move away from handwritten prescriptions could reduce medication errors by up to 30 per cent, and build a complete electronic record of prescriptions to reduce duplication.
The successful 25 trusts include acute, mental health and community services
Matthew Gould, chief executive of NHSX, said: “Switching from paper prescriptions to digital in our hospitals will make mistakes less likely, free up staff time and ultimately improve patients’ care and health.”
“This is part of the NHS Long Term Plan to support health service organisations to use digital technology to improve the care they can give patients, and allow staff to focus on delivering.”
The largest of the 25 recipients of the fund will be Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, which will receive £1.1m for digital upgrades.
The funding for the next year is the second wave from a £78m pot to improve patient care by speeding up the implementation of electronic prescribing systems across the NHS over 3 years.
Minister for Health Edward Argar said: “Electronic prescriptions in our hospitals will not only do away with old fashioned paper prescriptions but can help prevent avoidable and potentially catastrophic medication errors.
“As part of our long term plan for the NHS we’re committed to giving our hardworking staff access to modern systems which save them valuable time and make every penny of taxpayers’ money count.
“Following the previous funding announcement, I’m delighted to confirm the funding allocations for these 25 trusts as part of our mission to upgrade NHS hospitals with modern technology so patients get the best and safest care possible.”