UPDATED: 24-hour EPS outage causes frustration
Pharmacists using Cegedim systems have been experiencing problems downloading electronic prescriptions
UPDATE - 5pm
Cegedim has told C+D that its system is now working as expected, although it is still working with one of its customers to resolve their residual errors. Users may experience an "intermittent service" while its investigations are completed, it added.
A fault with system supplier Cegedim has left contractors unable to download electronic prescriptions for 24 hours.
The problem began on Monday morning (June 6), and prevented contractors from downloading prescriptions throughout the day. Contractors told C+D the problems have continued in some areas today (June 7).
Kent contractor Amish Patel said Cegedim had claimed the system was working at 11.30am yesterday, although his pharmacy was still unable to download any prescriptions at this time.
“We have got an automated message [from Cegedim] saying it is aware of the ongoing EPS issues,” Mr Patel said.
“As far as I know it is back up now and we have prescriptions for this morning, but we have a day’s backlog – a third of our work at least,” he added.
"Not acceptable"
Amanda Smith, manager at Heath Pharmacy in Huddersfield, said the outage was “not acceptable” as many people are relying on the Cegedim system.
“Thank goodness we are in a position to get paper scripts quickly from local surgeries,” Ms Smith added.
Cegedim managing director Simon Driver told C+D the supplier was experiencing “intermittent EPS service interruption problems”.
“We are working with our service partners to remedy the situation as soon as possible,” Mr Driver said. “We apologise to our customers for this disruption.”
The Twitter reaction:
@ChemistDruggist Yes I was working as a Locum yesterday & we could not download any EPS prescriptions for most of the day.
— Sarb Matharu (@zsarb8) June 7, 2016
@ChemistDruggist #Cegedim are no help! No EPS for over 24hrs! Intermittent scripts came through after 10pm last night. Pts angry with us!!
— WLNP (@WidnesPharmacy) June 7, 2016
@CandDBeth issues intermittently from 11-3.30 then total failure for around 2hrs.
— Sian Roberts (@sianibarny) June 7, 2016
All ok today! Ugh!
Information given by the Health and Social Care Information Centre:
This @CandDBeth pic.twitter.com/yIAObJYxeL
— Pill Man UK (@pillmanuk) June 7, 2016
Have you experienced EPS problems this week?
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