The aims of the Appliance Project were to improve patient safety and quality of life while decreasing prescribing spend related to stoma and continence prescribing. Third party ordering of appliances was stopped, patients were empowered to order their own appliance prescriptions and GP practice staff were trained to handle these requests appropriately. Patients were directed to order appliances online through their GP practice website or app; by visiting the practice in person or via the CCG Medicine Order Line - A service that allows patients to telephone a dedicated trained call handler who can access prescription records and process appliance requests.
EPACT searches identified the DACs and community pharmacies being used and one months' written notice to stop operating a third party ordering system was issued. We policed future appliance requests that came into the practices after this deadline.
Information sessions were held for practice staff to increase confidence and to support them with no longer accepting third party orders for appliances. Success of the project relied on practices consistently policing future requests and providing a consistent message.
A total of £65,625.95 savings were made against the prescribing budget over a fourteen month period.
