Implementing electronic prescribing and medicines administration (ePMA) systems within NHS trusts is often driven by pressure to deliver projects quickly, at low cost, and to a high standard—three aims that are inherently difficult to achieve simultaneously. Traditional implementation models typically rely on senior pharmacists to lead projects due to their clinical expertise, despite varying levels of digital proficiency. This approach can result in staff dissatisfaction, workflow disruption, and sub optimal system design. 

At South Tees, we adopted an alternative strategy that challenged this norm. Instead of placing pharmacists at the centre of the digital build, we invested in recruiting and empowering a dedicated team of pharmacy technicians with strong digital skills to lead the implementation. Clinical input from senior pharmacists was accessed when required, allowing the technical team to focus on detailed system design and optimisation. This structure enabled the ePMA system to be tailored around existing clinical workflows rather than forcing clinical teams to adapt their practice to system constraints. 

Empowering pharmacy technicians in leadership roles maximised their digital and operational strengths while freeing pharmacists to maintain ward-based clinical duties that might otherwise have been compromised. Furthermore, by establishing full-time, permanent technician posts, we ensured sustainable support beyond go-live. This continuity proved critical during the “business as usual” phase—when initial project funding ends and organisational enthusiasm naturally declines—allowing ongoing maintenance, optimisation, and support. 

Our experience demonstrates that technician-led ePMA implementation is not only feasible but offers significant benefits for system usability, workforce satisfaction, and long‑term digital resilience. 

• Examine the traditional ePMA delivery model
• Discover how South tees challenged the norm
• Explore the benefits and disadvantages of this novel approach