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Queues at the Hospital pharmacy and administrative errors have both been reduced by a new electronic prescribing system, according to the Health Department.
The Electronic Prescribing and Medicines Administration (EPMA) system replaced paper prescriptions with electronic submissions earlier this month.
The new system follows a successful pilot scheme last year, and means that patients no longer have to drop off paper prescriptions at the General Hospital.
It was introduced after many islanders took to social media to highlight Hospital pharmacy queues of up to two hours and other negative experiences.
Pictured: Islanders took to social media to voice concerns about the queue for the Hospital pharmacy.
Health Minister Tom Binet last month said that a high volume of prescriptions coupled with staffing problems led to a situation that was "thoroughly unacceptable".
However, Health said that the new system means it is easier for staff at the pharmacy – which dispenses around 800 items a day to roughly 250 people – to identify urgent prescriptions and start processing these before patients arrive to collect them.
Deputy Medical Director Simon West said that the pilot scheme reduced errors arising from misinterpretation of handwritten prescriptions and alerted clinicians to risks arising from different types of medication interacting with each other.
He explained: “Between March 2023 [when the pilot scheme started] and April 2024, the total number of outpatient items prescribed on EPMA was 44,000.
“During this time, the system has prevented 3,300 duplicate prescriptions, alerted clinicians to 1,500 significant drug interactions, and on 100 occasions stopped a drug being prescribed that the patient was significantly allergic to.”
Pictured: Health Minister Tom Binet last month said that a high volume of prescriptions coupled with staffing problems led to a situation that was "thoroughly unacceptable".
Mr West added that Health has also been encouraging patients to call the Hospital pharmacy ahead of time to confirm their prescription has been received and to let the service know when they will collect their medication.
“This is particularly important for non-urgent and repeat prescriptions as it enables us to prioritise the workload for filling prescriptions as well as meaning patients are assured their medication will be ready when they come to Pharmacy,” the Deputy Medical Director added.
In November, a new prescription drop-off box, additional seating and a screen showing ticket numbers were also introduced, which Mr West said had also been successful in helping to reduce queues and waiting times.
Pictured: Three HCS pharmacy jobs are currently being advertised on the Jersey Public Service Careers Portal.
He added that the Health Department is “in the process” of reciting additional staff members for the Hospital pharmacy, with three roles currently being advised for the service.
“We will continue to review our processes at the pharmacy and seek to continually improve the service we provide to our patients,” said Mr West.
Islanders who need to collect non-urgent prescriptions are asked to call the Hospital pharmacy in advance on 442627 for confirmation that they have received the prescription and when it will be ready for collection. The busiest times are between 12:00 and 14:00.
For islanders still given paper prescriptions, a drop-off box is located in front of the pharmacy counter.
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