Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 15 October 2018 to Question 177314 on Prescriptions: ICT, what recent steps he has taken to accelerate the roll-out of electronic prescribing medications systems.

As stated in the answer to Question 177314, work is already underway to accelerate the roll-out of electronic prescribing and medicines administration systems across the National Health Service in England. Capital funding of £75 million over three years has been allocated to support this roll-out, with £16 million available in 2018/19.

Trusts were invited to submit bids to be included in wave 1 of the roll-out in July 2018, and the 13 successful applicants were informed at the beginning of October 2018.

Further bids will be invited for wave 2 funding early next year for award in the subsequent financial year.