The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) provides NHS stakeholders with prescribing volume, trend and cost analyses derived from our systems used to calculate and make payment to dispensing contractors. We provide this information through two main channels, the Information Services Portal and ePACT.
The NHSBSA has contacted ePACT users to inform them of plans to improve the service they currently receive and is working to upgrade the technology used to deliver the ePACT data.
Our first communication about this project was in November 2015, when we asked all ePACT users to get involved to share information needs. Following this, during December 2015 and January 2016, we have been able to speak directly with ePACT customers to understand their needs in more detail. We’ve been able to meet some of you individually, some through group workshops and others through WebEx sessions.
During these sessions we’ve been able to show the participants a prototype of a possible solution. The design of this proof of concept was based on feedback given to us in last year’s ePACT survey and was used to stimulate discussions about content, functionality and look and feel.
The feedback from these sessions has been very positive and it’s clear users value the prescribing data available through ePACT as it allows them to carry out their role effectively. Users told us that accessing the information quickly and easily is a key feature.
The feedback also showed that different users need to access the data in different ways. Some users need to query the prescribing data online, while others need a combination of online analysis and ability to download the raw data. We also found that some users don’t need any facility to carry out analysis, but purely need an effective way to access the raw data to populate local systems.
We’re exploring a number of options to make sure the new system meets the needs of users in the best way possible, while ensuring value for money to the tax payer.
Some users have also taken the opportunity to provide more input through a survey we issued at the end of January specifically about ePACT and information needs. This survey is now closed and we have received 439 responses.
We’ll share the full results of the engagement activities we’ve carried out very soon and publish more updates as the programme progresses. In the meantime, thank you to everyone who has contributed so far.
To give you an idea of the time line we’re currently working to, we’ve planned in these key milestones:
Customer engagement - December 15 - February 16
Review and share findings - March 16
Develop a Beta ePACT - June 16
Cycle of review and development with user input (Transition to new ePACT) - April 16 - March 17