Transforming medicines management: Hywel Dda University Health Board implements electronic prescribing at its first ward

The stroke rehabilitation ward, Ward 9, within the Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli is the first ward to go live at Hywel Dda University Health Board (UHB) with their electronic Prescribing and Medicines Administration (ePMA) system from supplier, Better, on Wednesday 15 July. 

Hywel Dda UHB has joined six other health boards across Wales in starting the move from paper charts to a system which ensures that the prescribing and administration of medicines is easier, safer and more efficient for patients and clinicians. 

Helena Dunne, Lead Pharmacist Digital Medicines Management Systems at Hywel Dda said: “The implementation of ePMA is a major step forward in improving medicines safety.  

“Medication is a key intervention for many patients and using digital technology to support the management of medication will ensure this is safely and efficiently delivered. The ePMA team have worked tirelessly to get to this point, and we would like to thank all the staff that have supported us and worked collaboratively with us on our journey so far.” 

Anna Harries, Chief Nursing Information Officer for Hywel Dda would like to thank all the staff connected to Ward 9: “Every member of staff has embraced this significant change in practice. Staff can start the shift a little hesitant but within minutes easily navigate the system and are delighted with some of the features that have completely simplified processes. 

“An example is how nursing staff can now at the touch of a button request a medication supply which eradicates filling in a paper slip request for supply to be delivered to the ward.” 

The implementation of ePMA helps to ensure medication information is accurate and up-to-date, freeing time spent by staff for prescribing, checking, supplying, and administering medicines. 

Dr Lesley Hewer, Digital Health and Care Wales (DHCW) Chair of the National ePMA Programme and Head of Nursing at Hywel Dda UHB, said: “I would like to congratulate the team at Hywel Dda UHB alongside colleagues working behind the scenes, for their dedication and collaboration in successfully implementing ePMA at the health board’s first site. 

“The move to electronic prescribing and medicines administration will bring real benefits for both patients and staff, supporting safer, more accurate prescribing, improving access to up-to-date medication information, and freeing up valuable clinical time to focus on patient care. 

“This achievement reflects the collective effort to modernise how we deliver care across Wales, and I look forward to seeing the continued positive impact as ePMA is rolled out more widely.” 

Dr Anthony Smith, Chief Clinical Information Officer (CCIO), Hywel Dda UHB said: 

“This is an important step for the health board and a carefully managed start to the rollout of ePMA. Patient safety has been the priority throughout, and going live first in one ward gives us a strong foundation for wider implementation. 

"ePMA will help modernise medicines management by giving clinical teams better access to the information they need, while supporting safer and more efficient prescribing and administration. 

"I would also encourage all clinicians to complete their training now. Training is required before system access can be granted, and it needs to be completed in good time to allow individual accounts to be set up and switched on ahead of go-live.” 

Huw Thomas, Director of Finance at Hywel Dda UHB, said: “The implementation of ePMA is a significant milestone in our digital transformation journey and represents an important investment in improving patient care, safety and efficiency across our services.  

“The system will help our clinical teams spend less time on administrative tasks associated with managing medication records and more time focusing on direct patient care. It also provides greater visibility of medicines information, helping to reduce the risk of errors and improve communication between healthcare professionals. 

“We are proud to see Ward 9 at Prince Philip Hospital become the first ward in Hywel Dda to go live with ePMA. This achievement reflects the hard work and dedication of colleagues across the health board and our partners, and marks the beginning of an exciting programme of digital improvement that will benefit patients and staff alike as it is rolled out more widely across our services.” 

The implementation of electronic prescribing and medicines administration will continue across the health board throughout the year as a part of the national ePMA programme with DHCW – an integral piece of the digital transformation taking place across Wales to improve patient care and treatment.