Written question asked by Lord Willis of Knaresborough (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 24 July 2023, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 7 August 2023. It was answered by Lord Markham (Conservative) on Monday, 31 July 2023 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Prescriptions: ICT

Question: To ask His Majesty's Government when they anticipate all NHS Trusts to have implemented Electronic Prescribing and Medicines Administration systems.

Answer: The COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent focus on recovery has seen some National Health Service trusts delay implementing Electronic Prescribing and Medication Administration, meaning the timeline for implementation has been pushed to 2025. However, the implementation of e-prescribing in NHS trusts remains a key and appropriate deliverable as part of the vision to digitally transform the NHS. Additionally, the Electronic Prescription Service, which has been widely used in primary care over the past 18 years, is being made available to all NHS trusts by March 2025, should they want to utilise it.

Secondary information