NHS App users are now able to get “near real-time” alerts on their phones or smartwatches when their prescription is ready to collect from certain pharmacies, NHS England announced yesterday.
Nearly 2,500 pharmacies are part of this feature in the NHS App, including ASDA and Boots.
To receive alerts, people will need to enable push alerts from the NHS App. They will also be able to find out more details on the status of their prescription.
Health Innovation Minister, James Frith, said: “People should be able to manage their healthcare as simply and conveniently as possible, and these new alerts will make it easier for millions of NHS App users to know when their prescriptions are ready to collect.
“This is a practical example of how digital technology can make a difference to people’s everyday experience of the NHS, while also helping to reduce unnecessary calls and free up valuable time for pharmacy staff to focus on supporting patients.”
This builds on another feature in the app, introduced in May last year, which allows people to track their prescription. People can log in to the app, to see if their medicine is “ready to collect” or “dispatched by pharmacy” if it is being delivered.
One in three pharmacies
NHS England says this feature has been used by around 2.9 million people, and more than 39 million people are registered on the app.
While NHS England says this feature has been “popular” and “successful”, critics say that adoption of this feature has “stalled” among pharmacies.
Rahul Singal, chief pharmacy and medicines information officer at NHS England told the Pharmacy Show in Birmingham yesterday that this initiative had “stalled”, as only one in three pharmacies had allowed prescription tracking.
NHS England had aimed for 5,000 pharmacies to sign up to this within a year, but 17 months later, this number is around 3,200.
Prescription alerts give people choice and convenience
Despite this Rachel Power, chief executive of the Patients Association said making it easier for people to know when their prescription is ready can save people time and unnecessary trips to the pharmacy.
“We welcome the introduction of these alerts, which give patients greater choice and convenience in how they manage their healthcare,” she said.
“It’s something many people have been asking for, and alongside other non-digital ways of accessing information and support, can help make it easier for patients to get the information they need in a way that works for them.”
Rob Thompson, chief digital, data and technology officer at NHS England said: “The new prescription ready alerts are the latest step in the NHS giving people more control over how they manage their healthcare, as well as helping to reduce admin for staff.”
For people with epilepsy, the timely preparation of repeat prescriptions, the ability to track this and good communication around when medication is ready to collect is vital to ensure their seizures as well controlled as possible.
Without this, people risk breakthrough seizures which can upend people’s lives, or can even be fatal.
If people are having difficulty accessing their repeat prescription, they can request a minimum emergency supply of their medication from a pharmacy while their prescription is fulfilled. People can request a Charlie card from SUDEP Action which has more information about this.
The NHS App also allows people to manage hospital appointments, check their GP health record or order repeat prescriptions.
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