Digital prescribing to streamline medication process within Hywel Dda University Health Board, improving patient care.
Hywel Dda University Health Board is embarking on a digital transformation journey with the implementation of an Electronic Prescribing and Medicines Administration (ePMA) system. This move is expected to revolutionise medication management, ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and safety in the care provided to over 385,000 residents across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, and Pembrokeshire [1].
The ePMA system will replace outdated paper-based processes in secondary services, marking a significant stride in the shift towards digital prescribing across all hospitals and primary care in Wales. This transition is anticipated to boost NHS productivity and enhance the safe and effective use of medicines [2].
Anthony Tracey, Digital Director at Hywel Dda UHB, believes that electronic prescribing is an essential step in their digital transformation. He believes that the ePMA system will enable seamless communication between departments and healthcare professionals [3]. The Health Board has chosen Better as its technology partner for this initiative, following in the footsteps of Betsi Cadwaladr, Powys, and Aneurin Bevan health boards in Wales [4].
Adrian Aggett, Better's Client Director, expressed excitement about supporting Hywel Dda UHB and their teams on their digital journey. He is confident that the ePMA system will bring about better care for patients in west Wales [5]. The ePMA system forms part of the national Digital Medicines programme, led by Digital Health and Care Wales (DHCW) [6].
The expected benefits of the ePMA system include reducing medication errors by maintaining accurate, real-time medication records. It also promises to streamline prescribing and medication administration processes, minimising delays and errors associated with paper-based or fragmented record systems. Furthermore, it aims to free clinical staff time to focus more on direct patient care rather than administrative tasks related to medication management [1].
The ePMA system will also support better communication and coordination among multidisciplinary teams through a unified electronic platform. This digital advance aligns with broader NHS Wales initiatives to modernise healthcare delivery, enhance patient outcomes, and improve operational efficiency across the region [7].
The Welsh Government, led by Chief Pharmaceutical Officer Andrew Evans, has shown support for the digital prescribing rollout in Wales. The government has committed to fully implementing electronic prescribing in Wales, with Hywel Dda UHB's adoption of ePMA being a significant step towards this goal [8].
The national ePMA programme is supported and funded by the Welsh Government as part of the digital transformation taking place in Wales. Its aim is to contribute to better care for patients across Wales by improving the management of medication [9]. The ePMA system aims to make prescribing, dispensing, and administering medicines easier, safer, and more efficient for patients and clinicians [10].
In conclusion, the ePMA system at Hywel Dda University Health Board is designed to bring significant improvements in safety and efficiency by digitising the entire medication management pathway, benefiting patients and staff across west Wales. This initiative is a testament to the Health Board's commitment to delivering high-quality, modern healthcare services.
The ePMA system, a component of the national Digital Medicines program, is set to promote digital health and wellness by streamlining medication management and enhancing safe and effective use of medicines through technology. This shift towards digital prescribing, which aligns with broader NHS Wales initiatives, is anticipated to boost health-and-wellness outcomes and further science advancements by reducing medication errors and improving operational efficiency.
