What are the requirements and considerations for setting up a PCN Hub to use EPS?

Setting up a PCN Hub to use the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) involves several essential steps to ensure a seamless operation across GP practices within the network.

Requirements for EPS Setup

• Prescribing Cost Centre: Ensure the Cost Centre Code in EMIS aligns with NHS Spine standards. Contact deliveryoperations@emishealth.com for activation.
• Data Sharing Agreements: Activate agreements that allow viewing and writing back of care records, task creation, and sharing of appointment data across your hub and GP practices.
• Smartcard Roles: Smartcards must be configured with appropriate roles provided by your Registration Authority to facilitate NHS Spine interactions.
• GP Connect: Make sure GP Connect is enabled by navigating to Organisation Configuration, and ensure all required checkboxes are selected except 'Access Document'. If unavailable, reach out to EMIS Health with your Org ID and National Code.

Considerations for Efficient EPS Operations

Establish cross-organisational task teams and configure slots using GP Connect to ensure appointments can efficiently route through EPS. These configurations support structured workflows and ensure data integrity as prescriptions are handled and fulfilled across multiple practices within the hub.

Efficient setup of EPS and GP Connect within a PCN Hub significantly reduces administrative overhead, allowing practitioners to focus on patient care rather than system management.

For further optimisation, explore Hero Health's integration options to facilitate online booking and improve care navigation among your patients, enhancing accessibility and operational efficiency.