The traditional method of managing prescriptions involves physical paperwork, which often leads to delays, increased administrative overhead, and potential risk of errors. Recognising the need for a more streamlined, secure, and efficient process, PHP embarked on a mission to modernise prescription management while ensuring compliance with healthcare regulations.
The Journey
2013: Pioneering E-Signatures in Homecare
In 2013, PHP became one of the first homecare providers to implement electronic signature technology. This move marked a significant shift away from paper-based processes and laid the foundation for more efficient workflows across the organisation, and it’s partnering Trusts.
2018: Partnering with E-Sign Liverpool
To enhance its capabilities, PHP partnered with E-Sign, a leading electronic signature provider based in Liverpool. E-Sign specialises in secure, compliant, and easy-to-use electronic signature solutions for businesses across various sectors. This collaboration provided PHP with a robust and secure e-signature solution tailored to the unique needs of the homecare sector. E-Sign’s technology offered PHP greater flexibility, compliance, and seamless integration into its existing systems.
2021: Innovating with the RxESH Solution
PHP took its commitment to innovation further by contributing to the development of the RxESH (Electronic Signature for Homecare Prescriptions) solution. Working alongside members of the National Clinical Homecare Association (NCHA), PHP played a pivotal role in designing and refining a solution that now benefits the entire homecare sector. As detailed in the NCHA Summer 2022 Newsletter, RxESH ensures that prescription signing is not only efficient but also secure and fully compliant with industry standards.
The Impact of E-Signature Adoption
Enhanced Efficiency:
Reduced administrative workload and quicker turnaround times for prescription approvals. The time taken from prescription signing to receipt has reduced by 83% and continues to improve.
Secure & Sustainable:
PHP's e-signature process ensures regulatory compliance through secure, auditable workflows, while also supporting environmental goals by cutting paper use—saving around 239kg of carbon emissions to date.
Secure & Sustainable:
Patient-Centric Care: Faster prescription processing translates to timely delivery of medications, enhancing patient satisfaction.
Secure & Sustainable:
Operational Time Savings: For the two trusts fully onboarded with e-signature, approximately 22 hours of processing time have been saved—based on an average of 2.5 minutes per posted document.
Collaboration and Future Outlook
The partnership with E-Sign and contributions to RxESH underscore PHP’s belief in collaborative innovation. By working closely with technology providers and industry peers, PHP has positioned itself as a leader in the homecare sector.
As highlighted in our Portsmouth Hospitals case study, Sophie Lidstone played a vital role in supporting coordination and process refinement during the early implementation phase, while Raghu Mamullapally developed tailored Power Platform applications that improved digital workflows. Their contributions to that project continue to reflect PHP’s collaborative approach to improving prescription processes in partnership with NHS Trusts.
Looking ahead, PHP aims to further leverage digital tools to enhance patient outcomes and operational excellence.
Why Personal Homecare Pharmacy?
Personal Homecare Pharmacy’s adoption of electronic prescription signing reflects a thoughtful integration of technology aimed at improving efficiency and patient care.
By embracing innovation and refining its processes, PHP has created a more responsive, transparent, and sustainable approach to homecare, maintaining the focus to deliver high-quality service with each step.
