Pharmacy helps NHS through digitalisation

By Our correspondent

LONDON: Well Pharmacy, the third largest pharmacy chain in the UK, has pledged its support for the NHS Long Term Plan through digitalisation.

The plan published by the NHS aims to make greater use of community pharmacists’ skills and opportunities to engage patients in vital healthcare services. The plan has a heavy focus on a ‘digital first’ approach, following in the footsteps of other industries that have successfully undergone a digital transformation to improve the customer experience.

The Well Pharmacy was acquired a few years back by the Bestway Group.

Well Pharmacy launched its online NHS prescription service in July 2018 and has since signed up over 29,000 customers.

The service takes the hassle out of prescriptions, enabling customers to order their medication quickly, easily and safely online. It allows customers to manage their own health efficiently – a key focus in the NHS Long Term Plan.

Chris Ellett, Director of Transformation at Well Pharmacy said, “It’s about choice. Most of our customers still prefer to come into our pharmacies, but not everyone can do this during working hours. This online service now gives customers the option to have their NHS prescriptions delivered direct to their door by a trusted provider with years of pharmacy experience, for free.

“We’re doing critical work to bring pharmacy into the digital age whilst creating a joined-up experience with the NHS. A digital-first approach will result in a more streamlined service for customers, and give people choice in how they receive health advice and medication.”

The company’s online pharmacy has an integrated chat system allowing customers to talk to a pharmacist from the comfort of their own home or on the go. The average wait time is four minutes and 90% of users say the customer service is amazing or great