NHS smartcard?

[pharmer7]

i have just realised from looking at LocumVoice, that many people have this. I have in fact, never been issued this. I did my pre-registration placement in England last year, and went somehwere to have my picture taken,etc, but did not hear anything for quite some time. I then finished the placement and I am now in Scotland. However, it has occured to me that I did not ever receive a NHS smartcard, and I am not even sure how I would apply for one. Would this affect my work as a locum if I do not have this?

[roper]

I got one from my local PCT 3 years ago on the understanding that it would soon be essential. I have used it about 6 or 7 times! Many shops find EPS troublesome (or broken) or do not yet see barcoded scripts. Others keep the manager's card in the machine even when a locum works - but they are wrong to.

[Heidi]

I have one but never have to use it.... you PCT should be able to point you in the right directon

[LeftArm]

You should log on every now and then or your card will expire.
You should also make sure that EPS is working by doing a couple of scripts on a regular basis even if you don't use it all the time.
The PCT can stop EPS payments if the pharmacy is unable to operate the service. This will be the case if the system doesn't work but would also be the case if no R1 smart card is available or is expired.

[johnep]

Had smartcard from the start. Apart from checking to see if worked, never used it. Obtaining from various PCTs meant had to drive to the PCT concerned involving round trip of upto 150 miles. Regret consider complete waste of time.
johnep

[roper]

I only contacted my local PCT and have used in several other areas (rarely) so I don't think you needed to obtain from more than one. My card did expire on me and I had to get it re-authorised but still find no one uses them.

[imaginegenerous]

Just had mine renewed by the PCT and I'm using it on a daily basis. We get quite a lot of barcoded scripts. Works pretty well most of the time provided out IT system is working properly. I have noticed though that when you go into the patient's recorded after scanning the bar code in some cases the quantities of each medication are there but on some they're not, it just says quantity 0. Seems to be surgery dependent so think it must depend on the IT system they use.

[El-loco]

However, it has occured to me that I did not ever receive a NHS smartcard, and I am not even sure how I would apply for one. Would this affect my work as a locum if I do not have this?

To get a smartcard contact whichever PCT you live in. The cards are supposed to work everywhere and I have not (yet) had any problems.

It could affect your work as a locum as some companies (e.g. Tesco) use them all the time and on their pharmacy manager system it is quicker, once you get used to it, than doing the script manually. Other companies (e.g. Rowlands) are completely geared up for ETP but the staff are often reluctant to use it. This is a shame because it can be very efficient if the connection is not too slow. Yet other companies (e.g. Boots) don't seem to be able to use it at all - don't even have scanners.

Hope this helps.

[roper]

To get a smartcard contact whichever PCT you live in. The cards are supposed to work everywhere and I have not (yet) had any problems.

It could affect your work as a locum as some companies (e.g. Tesco) use them all the time and on their pharmacy manager system it is quicker, once you get used to it, than doing the script manually. Other companies (e.g. Rowlands) are completely geared up for ETP but the staff are often reluctant to use it. This is a shame because it can be very efficient if the connection is not too slow. Yet other companies (e.g. Boots) don't seem to be able to use it at all - don't even have scanners.

Hope this helps.

I have worked at Tesco branches that were not using it regularly. Not all surgeries are ready yet either. If you don't see barcoded scripts then you can't scan them!