IMPROVEMENTS in prescribing practices could be hindered by a lack of data, a health expert has warned.
A report shared with the Health Advisory Board highlighted that there were currently no resources available to analyse and produce reports from the Electronic Prescribing Medication Administration (EPMA) system. This system, introduced in May to replace paper prescriptions, was intended to streamline processes, reduce queues and minimise administrative errors.
However, the report, authored by the advisory board’s non-executive director, Carolyn Downs, stated: “Concerns remain regarding the lack of prescribing data to provide assurance regarding appropriate and safe prescribing.”
Elsewhere in the report, issues with recruitment and retention in the Hospital pharmacy department were highlighted. “Specifically, pharmacists are offered more money to work in GP / community pharmacy settings in Jersey,” the report stated. It added that licensing restrictions also limited part-time working options.
Despite these challenges, benchmarking data from similar healthcare jurisdictions suggests the Health Department is in a relatively “favourable position”. “While accepting there are issues out-with HCS’s control, HCS must make things better for pharmacy staff in the organisation,” it added.
