Prescription processing just got faster

PATIENTS at the Greenmount Medical Centre in Bury are among the first in the country to get a taste of a faster, more-efficient way of processing prescriptions. The practice recently became one of the first in the country to introduce the new service, which will significantly improve the way that prescriptions are handled. Under the plan, patients will no longer have to visit their GP practice to collect a paper prescription. Instead, they can choose to have it sent electronically to any pharmacy or dispensing contractor that is convenient to them. Commenting on the pilot scheme, known as the Electronic Prescription Service, Dr John Hampson, a GP at Greenmount, said: "We are delighted to be leading the way with this new technology. The new system will make it much easier for pharmacies to manage routine repeat prescriptions in partnership with general practices." Ken Gardner from nearby Gardner's Pharmacy, added: "We are pleased to be at the forefront of introducing the service as it is going to bring our patients real benefits. For patients on stable, repeat medication, their GP could order a six-month supply, meaning they would no longer have to go to the surgery on a monthly basis just to order their prescription."