First full rollout of e-MAS service claimed

Co-operative Group Pharmacy is claiming that it has become the first in Scotland to implement the electronic Minor Ailments Service (e-MAS) across all of its sites, part of a contract that allows pharmacists to dispense medication for easily-spotted conditions.

All 39 pharmacies across the country are now linked into NHSnet and training has now started for the start date of 1 June, says the group. The original deadline, set by the Scottish Executive Health Department, was 31 March but this had been put forward.

The software, LinkEvolution from AAH, is an updated version of the system in Keighley, West Yorkshire, that last year received the first electronic transfer of prescriptions under the National Programme for IT.

“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,” said Derek Drury, Co-operative Group Pharmacy’s head of information systems.

"The AAH system was already tried and tested in pilot e-MAS sites, so the rollout 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."

Phamacists will be able to use the LinkEvolution system to record their encounters with patients, detailing their condition and the drugs described, and to generate the prescriptions electronically.

Steve Dunn, group managing director at AAH said: "The minor ailment service in Scotland illustrates how pharmacists can provide effective community healthcare and lighten the burden on GPs."

"IT is critical to introducing services like this, by saving pharmacists time and helping to keep accurate, up-to-date records which can easily be used to support other healthcare professionals."

The e-MAS system will offer the electronic support infrastructure for the Scottish Minor Ailments Service (SMAS). Under the new pharmacy contract for SMAS, pharmacists will be able to diagnose and prescribe medication for conditions such as head-lice and hayfever to those exempt from charges.