26 May 2025

Prescribing in private practice – it’s time to ditch paper scripts

In this blog, Rebecca Hindhaugh, Key Account Manager, cuts to the chase about ePrescribing – how it’s already delivering safer, faster and less stressful prescribing in the NHS and why it’s the perfect time for private practitioners to grab those benefits.

Four reasons to let ePrescribing do the heavy lifting

It’s easy to think of ePrescribing as just another bit of tech, but the reality is it’s transforming healthcare across the UK. The UK government aims to eliminate paper prescriptions across the NHS in 2025 – and the results speak for themselves. If it’s already delivering faster, safer and less stressful care for millions, imagine what it could do for your private practice.

Here’s four standout stats that show exactly why now’s the time to ditch your paper scripts:

Nearly 1 billion ePrescriptions issued in England last year – covering 95% of all prescriptions¹
ePrescribing isn’t a trend – it’s the new norm. Private practitioners can tap into the same proven digital magic to save hours every week and meet patient expectations for modern, hassle-free care
Digital prescribing could save 2.7 million hours of practitioner and practice time every year²
Imagine what you could do with those extra hours – more time for patient consultations, less admin and a real chance to grow your practice without the burnout
Prescribing errors have reduced by 66% and there’s been a 63% drop in clinical incidents in some NHS Trusts using ePrescribing³
Dramatically reduce your risk and boost patient safety – no more worrying about misread handwriting or missed allergies, just clear, accurate scripts every time
Switching to digital prescribing was estimated to save the NHS over £300 million in three years⁴
Even in a smaller private setting, digital prescribing means lower overheads, less paperwork and more streamlined workflows – so you can reinvest your time and resources in what matters most: patient care

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Six perks of ePrescribing: from speedy issue to stress-free peace of mind

Those headline numbers are impressive, but what does all that mean for you, right there in the thick of private practice? Let’s get real – here are six ways ePrescribing can shake up your daily routine, make life easier for your patients and help you sleep a little better at night:

Time-saving: prescriptions sorted in a few clicks – no more printing, signing or posting. That’s less hassle and more time for you to work on what’s important
Stress relief: let simple to use tech handle the admin, so you can breathe easy and focus on clinical care
Patient choice and convenience: make life simple for your patients with faster, flexible options for secure delivery
Accuracy: no more dodgy handwriting or dose mix-ups – just safe, clear prescriptions every time
Safer prescribing: smart integration with the NHS dm+d’s approved meds list and its unique codes and clear descriptions so you always know exactly what meds you’re selecting – no guesswork and no confusion.
Security and compliance: locked down with encryption and secure logins – your data’s safe and you’re always on the right side of the rules

Free Prescribing is now available in ePractice

Here’s where it gets even better. You don’t need a dozen different systems to manage your practice and prescriptions as Prescribing is now built into ePractice practice management software (PMS). Used by thousands, our PMS blitzes admin, sorts invoicing and keeps patient management slick. Powered by Hi (Healthcode Intelligence), we’re always upping our game to keep ePractice smart, stable and rock-solid reliable so you can grow your practice, stress less and spend more time with your patients.

Real impact, real results: why Prescribing in ePractice is a win

When we say ‘real impact,’ we mean it. Honestly, we couldn’t be more excited with the feedback. Practitioners are calling it a total game-changer – safer, faster and a huge time-saver. And seeing real practices cut down on stress and save valuable time is what keeps us going.

But don’t just take our word for it. Dr Bav Shergill, Chief Medical Officer of MySkinDoctor, put it well when he said, “Prescribing in ePractice has truly transformed my workflow – making prescribing safer, faster and more efficient – allowing me to focus more on patient care. I can confidently prescribe knowing the medication will be in stock and fulfilled by Pharmacy2U, eliminating prescription refusals which with my previous e-script provider was a big issue for my patients. The integration with dm+d ensures accuracy and there’s no more switching between systems – I can now write prescriptions directly within Healthcode, saving time and reducing hassle.”