The MSs for Arfon and Ynys Môn made the call on a visit to a Gwynedd health centre
E-prescribing is the electronic signing, sending and processesing of prescriptions.
The proccess is widely thought to be more effective, as well as relieveing pressure and reducing the workload for health workers.
Siân Gwenllian MS and Rhun ap Iorwerth MS recently called on the Welsh Government to adopt the technology on a visit to Hafan Iechyd, a health practice in the town of Caernarfon.
The MSs claimed that the call was especially pertinent following huge pressure mounted on the health service by COVID-19.
Prescribing is still very much paper-based in Wales, and Siân Gwenllian MS, the local Member of the Senedd was joined by Rhun ap Iorwerth, Plaid Cymru’s health spokesperson this week in calling for the adoption of e-prescribing.
In a statement by the Welsh Government Eluned Morgan, Minister for Health and Social Services said that an independent review into ePrescribing had been carried out in Wales, and had concluded in April.
According to the statement;
“Since then, officials have worked with NHS colleagues to develop a plan to introduce ePrescribing throughout the lifecycle of a prescription.
“Through ePrescribing, we can improve and digitise the way patients, clinicians and pharmacists access and manage the provision of medicines across the health system.
“This will include: patients’ access to medicines, prescribing of medication by clinicians, the assurance and dispensing of prescriptions by pharmacists, and the auditing and pricing of medicines by monitoring authorities.
“The review determined the key recommendation to be progressing delivery across four “domains” of ePrescribing in parallel. This is expected to be delivered within three to five years.”
Siân Gwenllian, the Member of the Senedd for Arfon reacted, accusing the Welsh Government of displaying a lack of urgency;
“This is yet another field were the Welsh Government is behind.
“E-prescribing is a very sensible way to reduce the significant workload of health workers.
“Recommendations are obviously welcomed, but a 3 to 5 year timeline is very concerning.
“In times that have been exceptionally taxing on doctors, we need to make it a priority to ease their burden.
“I’d like to thank Dr Sioned Enlli and the team at Hafan Iechyd for what was an informative visit to hear of the last year’s challenges.
“The people of Caernarfon are very lucky to have health services fit for the 21st century, and I believe e-prescribing would benefit those services greatly.”
Rhun ap Iorwerth, Ynys Môn’s MS and Plaid Cymru’s health spokesperson added;
“It was great to meet Dr Sioned Enlli and the team in Caernarfon with Siân today.
“The health center there is a great asset to the town and the wider area, and is an example of the kind of multi-disciplinary provision that is needed within the reach of every community. In my constituency, we need to urgently move towards establishing such a centre in Holyhead, and I will continue to push for that.
“Thanks to Dr Sioned Enlli and the doctors and other staff for their tireless work throughout the pandemic. It's great to be able to talk to those on the front line, and get to know the barriers and challenges facing our health centre doctors and health staff. ”
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