News

Repeat prescriptions through digital TV and mobile phone

14 May 2008

Millions of patients in the UK can now request repeat prescriptions using digital interactive TV or their mobile phone, removing the need to visit the doctor's surgery every time their prescription runs out.

The free service is offered through the Looking Local portal operated by DigiTV, which is owned by Kirklees Council on behalf of all UK local authorities.

The prescription ordering system was developed with EMIS, the main supplier of GP practice software, using its EMIS Access software. Through Pharmacy2U a home delivery option for the medication can be offered. GP surgeries wishing to adopt the service need to use EMIS software and activate a free module available from EMIS. DigiTV is working with other GP clinical systems suppliers to develop the service on their systems.

The launch of the free repeat prescriptions service following the successful national launch of GP appointment booking through digital interactive TV and mobile phones in 2007.

Around 1,400 GP surgeries using EMIS software — representing more than eight million patients — can now offer repeat prescription ordering through interactive TV, mobile phones and the internet, in addition to patient management of GP appointments through these channels.

The repeat prescription and GP appointment booking services were previously only available over the Internet — this is used by more than 135,000 patients.

More than 70% of all prescriptions signed off by GPs are repeat requests for patients who have ongoing health issues; the process is time-consuming for all involved.

Benefits of the repeat prescription system are realised all the way down the line. Patients — particularly those housebound or busy working — benefit from not having to go to the surgery. Practice staff spend less time with repeat prescription paperwork and the doctor is notified electronically to accept or reject the application, increasing efficiency in the surgery.

Steve Langrick, Business Strategy and Access manager at Kirklees Council with responsibility for Looking Local said; “Offering repeat prescriptions to complement GP appointments was a natural step towards extending our health-related services and yet again demonstrates our ongoing commitment to providing locally relevant e-enabled services, extending the convenience of this access to benefit more people.

“Efficient access to health-related services is important to so many people and any time that can be freed-up through developments such as repeat prescriptions allows for that time to be re-invested for the benefit of patients.”

Once registered for the service with their EMIS surgery, patients can request the prescription in real time. They can also use Looking Local to track the prescription(s) application and status of their request from the order date, in addition to any non-repeat prescriptions on order. With each prescription request, patients can use a message facility to contact the doctor with any queries.

The Kakoty Practice in Barnsley was one of the first in the UK to introduce GP appointment booking via digital interactive television. Dr Prakash Kakoty said: “The system has delivered many benefits to the practice and, of course, to patients, for whom it offers the ultimate in convenience.

“Extending the service to include repeat prescriptions is a fantastic development, especially for patients coping with long-term conditions that require constant medication.”

Sean Riddell, Healthcare Managing Director of EMIS, said: “This is a great example of how partnerships between different technology providers can improve healthcare delivery.

"By enabling our systems to link up with the Looking Local portal, we will help thousands more patients to enjoy the benefits of these pioneering free services.”

With more homes now having access to digital TV than the internet, DiTV and mobile phones are key channels for government service delivery in general, but particularly to those with no internet access or PC skills who often have a higher usage of government services. Currently 56% of homes have access to digital interactive TV and over 85% of the adult population owns a mobile phone.

With the analogue TV switchover programme already underway in Whitehaven and more people understanding what DiTV can offer them besides additional channels, Looking Local is experiencing record usage as people switch on and tuning in to locally and personally relevant services.

Looking Local offers a range of useful local services beyond doctors’ appointments and repeat prescriptions. This includes looking for a job by accessing the Jobcentre Plus database, train and bus times by using the Transport Direct service and access a range of legal information. All this national content is supplemented by local services provided by over 80 public service organisations including local authorities, police, fire and housing associations, across the UK.

Looking Local is accessible for free on Sky, Virgin and Freeview boxes with a modem or broadband connections. For those patients on the move, the portal is available on mobile phones that allow browsing and access to the internet (the cost for access is variable depending on the operator and package).

The argument for moving forward on these channels is driven by the significant digital divide that is faced in the UK. There is an obligation on all service providers to involve members of the public and enable them to receive services via a wide range of channels.

A significant minority in the UK lack access or the skills to use a PC and the internet. This has created an increasingly divisive situation where those without the access or the skills are at a distinct disadvantage to those that do. Efficiencies can be made on many levels and giving equal access to e-Government services so that patients can contact their surgery when it suits them means that there is fairer access for all.

To top^