Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many GP practices have adopted electronic repeat dispensing; and what steps he is taking to increase uptake of electronic repeat dispensing.

The Health Minister, Robin Swann, is leading the response for health matters in Northern Ireland as health is a devolved matter, within the competence of the Northern Ireland Executive. This includes addressing how many general practitioners' (GP) practices have adopted electronic repeat dispensing (eRD).

The UK Government encourages GP practices across the UK to use electronic repeat dispensing (eRD) where clinically appropriate and Academic Health Science Networks have been supporting this. It is vital we reduce GP workloads where possible, while ensuring patients’ are as protected as possible.

For more detailed information, I would recommend you engage with the Department of Health on this matter.