Smart Cards

Smartcards In Release 1 of the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS), community pharmacists were issued with an EPS01 card to operate the service. To obtain this card they had to be registered to government standard e-GIF Level 3 with the Registration Authority of a primary care trust (PCT). As EPS Release 1 does not allow any access to the NHS Care Records Service (NHS CRS), it is not subject to the same user policies as the NHS CRS applications.

In Release 2 of the Electronic Prescription Service, dispensing contractors will have access to a part of the NHS CRS known as the Personal Demographics Service. Therefore, dispensing contractors and their staff will be required to adopt the same ‘single card’ access model as all other staff accessing parts of the NHS CRS.

In this section of the site you will be able to find guidance on the smartcard arrangements for Release 1, Release 2 and the transition from 1 to 2. Click on the quick links below to jump to the relevant section:

Smartcard arrangements for EPS Release 1

Smartcard arrangements for EPS Release 2

Smartcard Administration: Re-newal and Locked/Broken Cards

Finding out about Local Arrangements

General FAQs

Version 5 Incompatibility Issue

There is a known issue around the new Version 5 smartcards. These cards can be identified by the serial number on the back that includes the number 5. These new cards are only compatible with the latest version of the ‘Identity Agent’ software (known as Identity Agent Version 11). Older smartcards are not affected.

In late 2009, CfH made available, through SHAs, a limited number of version 4 smartcards with the condition that these were only to be used by PCT RAs for the issue of Pharmacy Premises Cards.

A number of system suppliers have indicated that they are waiting until the deployment of EPS Release 2 to roll out the new Identity Agent software nationally but may be able to provide an upgrade on an individual basis. If the PCTs stocks of the version 4 cards have been exhausted, the only other option is for the contractor to contact their system supplier and request an individual upgrade.

EPS Release 1

Release 1 of the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) requires community pharmacists (including locums) who provide NHS Pharmaceutical services to be issued with smartcards.

As EPS Release 1 does not provide access to any part of the NHS Care Records Service repositories, it is not subject to the same user policies as the NHS CRS applications. A simplified application form and process has been introduced for Release 1. More information: EPS Release 1 Smartcard Arrangents

EPS Release 2

Smartcard R2 Guidance In Release 2 of the Electronic Prescription Service, community pharmacies will have access to a part of the NHS Care Records Service known as the Personal Demographics Services. As a consequence of this, community pharmacy staff will be required to adopt the same ‘single card’ access model and comply with the same security arrangements as other NHS staff accessing parts of the NHS Care Records Service.

To access EPS Release 2, all pharmacy staff that use the pharmacy system to support the dispensing of prescriptions will be required to complete Form RA01 to obtain a smartcard and passcode with the appropriate access rights. It is anticipated that pharmacists who have already got a smartcard and passcode for EPS Release 1 will be able to upgrade their access rights without the need for another face-to-face meeting with their local RA. More information on the smartcard arrangements for EPS Release 2 including the transition from Release 1 to Release 2 can be found here: EPS Release 2 Smartcard Arrangents

Smartcard Administration: Certificate Re-newal, Locked/Broken Cards etc.

Smartcards contain two digital certificates for the purpose of authentication. As a security measure, to support protecting against unauthorised access to patient information, certificates must be renewed every two years. If pharmacists do not renew the certificates on a smart card before expiry, they will no longer be able to use their card to access the Electronic Prescription Service. More information: Smartcard Administration

Local Arrangements

Local Registration Authorities (RA) are responsible for registering pharmacy staff for smartcards. Contact your local PCT Registration Authority or LPC to find out what arrangements are in place locally. Information available online can be found here: Local Smart Card Information

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked questions relating to smartcard registration and use can be found here: Frequently Asked Questions