TWO hospital trusts in south Essex will get £1.7million to help their prescription service to go paperless.

Basildon and Thurrock Hospital Trust and the Essex Mental Health Trust will receive a share of £26million for digital prescribing systems aimed at improving patient safety.

The new technology is set to cut medication errors by up to 30 per cent compared to paper systems, ensure fast access to lifesaving information and have a single electronic record of prescriptions.

The funding for the next year is the second wave from a £78million pot to improve patient care by speeding up the implementation of electronic prescribing systems across the NHS over three years.

The Essex trusts are two of 25 to receive the funding. Last year, 13 other trusts received a share of £16million.

Edward Argar, Government Minister for Health, said: “Electronic prescriptions in our hospitals will not only do away with old fashioned paper prescriptions but can help prevent avoidable and potentially catastrophic medication errors.

“As part of our long-term plan for the NHS we’re committed to giving our hardworking staff access to modern systems which save them valuable time and makes every penny of taxpayers’ money count.

“Following the previous funding announcement, I’m delighted to confirm the funding allocations for these 25 Trusts as part of our mission to upgrade NHS hospitals with modern technology so patients get the best and safest care possible.”

The government has stated the roll-out of these systems will help build a more efficient healthcare system by freeing up clinicians’ time and digitising outdated practices.

Matthew Gould, chief executive of NHSX, a team of specialists from NHS England the Department of Health, said: “Switching from paper prescriptions to digital in our hospitals will make mistakes less likely, free up staff time and ultimately improve patients’ care and health.”

The Basildon and Thurrock Trust will receive £1,240,000 in funding, where the Essex Mental Health Trust will receive £540,000. The funding is predicted to save the NHS £300million a year by 2021.