Co-Op First National Chain With e-MAS
07 April 2006
Co-operative Group Pharmacy has become the first national chain to implement the electronic Minor Ailments Service (e-MAS) in all of its Scottish pharmacies, using AAH’s LINKEvolution IT system. AAH completed the installations several days ahead of the Scottish Executive Health Department’s original deadline of 31 March.
All the pharmacies have a live connection to the NHS network, and the LINKEvolution system is able to exchange information with NHSnet as required. AAH, which managed all aspects of the implementation including network connection, is now training pharmacy staff to use the system ready for the revised new contract start date of 1 June.
The LINK system’s comprehensive notes package enables pharmacists to record full details of the patient’s condition, the treatment and the advice provided, and to process and dispense the scripts electronically
Co-operative Group Pharmacy’s Head of IS, Derek Drury, was keen to ensure all the group’s pharmacies were ready as quickly as possible.
“IT plays a key role in implementing the new contract in Scotland, and it was important for us to be ready well in advance so we can continue to provide our Scottish customers with the very best healthcare in their local community,” he said.
“The AAH system was already tried and tested in pilot e-MAS sites, so the roll-out of the new software has been very smooth. Even when the SEHD put back the implementation deadline, AAH continued to work closely with us to ensure all our stores were ready by the original date.”
“The Minor Ailments Service in Scotland illustrates how pharmacists can provide effective community healthcare and lighten the burden on GPs,” said Steve Dunn, AAH group managing director.
“IT is critical to introducing services like this, by saving pharmacists time and helping them to keep accurate, up-to-date records which can easily be used to support other healthcare professionals.”
The Scottish Minor Ailments Service enables pharmacists to prescribe and dispense prescriptions for minor ailments, such as head lice, coughs and colds, thrush and hay fever to patients who are exempt from prescription charges. This means patients receive immediate treatment on the NHS instead of waiting for a GP appointment, and frees up GP time to handle more serious conditions.
Co-operative Group Pharmacy has 39 branches in Scotland, making it among the largest pharmacy chains north of the border. It has a track record in leading the way in pharmacy IT: the Co-operative Pharmacy in Keighley, West Yorkshire issued the first electronic prescriptions on 22 February 2005, also using AAH’s LINK IT system.
