Long-winded repeat prescription workflow in the PMS
Cost of Inaction
Extra time for each repeat prescription × annual volume × cost of staff time
How it breaks down
- Extra repeat-prescription handling£7,200
Two minutes, no typing, and I read every one myself.
From Paul
Tell me where that £7,200 is coming from, and I'll come back with the three things to fix first.
A few quick questions, about two minutes, and no typing. I read every one myself and reply with the three things costing you most and where I'd start. If it's useful, we talk. If not, you've still got a clear picture.
No obligation, no sales call unless you ask for one, and nothing automated lands in your inbox.
Paul, Solvable
- Staff can time a repeat in the existing PMS and compare it with the shorter reference flow.
- The same additional steps appear across repeat prescriptions.
- Monthly repeat volume turns a small per-item difference into measurable staff hours.
- Staff capacity is absorbed by repeated low-value handling.
- Turnaround can slow as repeat volume increases.
- The annual cost rises in direct proportion to monthly repeat volume.
- Each repeat requires additional navigation, entry, or checking.
- The workflow does not carry all required information through in one pass.
- The extra handling time is repeated at monthly prescription volume.
The measurable signal is the difference in elapsed staff time and number of manual steps between the current workflow and the comparison flow observed in the call.
Frequently asked questions
Why does this problem persist?
Each repeat prescription crosses several manual handoffs: staff handle the email, check the item price, communicate with the patient, and then synchronise the outcome back into the PMS. Repeating those steps for every item keeps the workflow long-winded.
What is the cost of leaving it unaddressed?
The calculation annualises the extra minutes across monthly repeat volume, then converts minutes to hours and applies the hourly staff cost.
This is exactly what I do with UK private practices. Answer the few questions above and I'll come back personally with where to start. Paul.