NHS England (NHSE) has launched a new online tool intended to help pharmacy teams identify the local Registration Authority (RA) contact details they need for smartcard support easier.  

Pharmacy teams need smartcards to access NHS systems such as the electronic prescription service (EPS) and the national care records service. 

The smartcard-only access helps ensure that only authorised personnel have access to sensitive patient medical information. 

Read more: NHS app to use AI to direct patients to appropriate services 

"Each pharmacy team member who needs access should have their own smartcard. smartcards must never be shared," said Community Pharmacy England (CPE). 

Currently, pharmacists need a specific, local RA to manage their smartcard. The RA's "assign roles to each card and set which pharmacies the card can be used in", CPE said.  

The new online tool is designed to help pharmacists who work across pharmacy sites, staff who have "recently moved between pharmacies", and when "urgent access is needed to continue patient care". 

Reducing delays 

CPE said that finding the appropriate RA could previously be "time-consuming" and that the new tool "should help reduce delays and keep pharmacy services running smoothly".  

The new "Find Your Registration Authority" tool is a "simple search function" it said.  

Pharmacists can search for their RA using their organisation's name, address, postcode, or ODS code.  

NHSE is encouraging users to provide digital feedback on the service to help to improve it further, and CPE has encouraged pharmacists to share the tool with their team, "especially those who work across multiple sites". 

Read more: NHS updates EPS nomination standards amid ‘renewed scrutiny’ 

CPE welcomed the tool as a "practical improvement that should make it easier for pharmacy teams to get the support they need when they need it". 

It said the tool "supports wider priorities to reduce administrative burden, improve access to NHS systems (and) support flexible and multi-site working". 

Read more: NHSE launches WhatsApp channel for ‘trusted’ health information 

It comes after NHSE revealed plans last month to accelerate the rollout of a new AI triage tool that will direct patients to "the most appropriate NHS service". 

And it follows the NHS updating its standards for EPS nominations in May following "renewed scrutiny" of nomination practices by pharmacies and IT system suppliers.  

Try out the tool: 

Find your Registration Authority