A new digital patient record system has been approved worth £88million that will benefit patients across Norfolk and Waveney.

The Electronic Patient Record (EPR) will enable the acute hospitals in Norfolk and Waveney to drastically change the way they operate. The EPR, supplied by provider Meditech, will be a strong foundation for the use of more advanced technology systems for patient care.

The new system will enhance patient experience and make looking after patients simpler for staff. It will also improve and co-ordinate the flow of information between services, making it easier to provide care.

The EPR will bring an end to an array of paper-based records and disjointed systems and herald a new era of cutting-edge technology across the region’s three acute hospitals that enable clinicians instant access to real time health and care information in one secure place.

The three Trusts working together on the project are, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (NNUH), James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (JPUH), and The Queen Elizabeth Hospital King’s Lynn NHS Foundation Trust (QEHKL). These hospitals make up the NHS Norfolk and Waveney Acute Hospital Collaborative which has joined forces with provider Meditech to deliver the system.

The new digital patient record solution, which is planned to launch in 2026, will transform acute hospital healthcare by storing patient information electronically and streamlining communication between patients and staff. The EPR will introduce time-saving features and facilitate safer, more personalised care, ultimately enhancing the overall quality of care provided by the three Trusts. The EPR also minimises the potential for human error, ensuring that patients receive the right care at the right time.

Alice Webster, Chief Executive Officer at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital King’s Lynn and Senior Responsible Officer for the EPR Programme, said: “This transformative initiative will empower our healthcare professionals to deliver exceptional patient care by providing them with accurate, up-to-date, and easily accessible patient information. We believe this investment in digital innovation will greatly enhance our ability to meet the healthcare needs of our community now and in the future.

“By eliminating the reliance on paper-based records and multiple disparate systems, the EPR will enhance coordination and collaboration among clinicians, nurses, and other healthcare staff, resulting in improved continuity of care for our patients.”

Mr Vivek Chitre, Chief Medical Officer and EPR Senior Responsible Officer at James Paget University Hospitals, said: “The implementation of an Electronic Patient Record system is a critical initiative that will revolutionise the way patient information is managed and shared across the three acute Trusts. It will improve safety, efficiency, and the overall experience for our patients and their families.”

Dr Ed Prosser-Snelling, Chief Digital Information Officer and EPR Senior Responsible Officer at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals said: “The acute hospitals in Norfolk and Waveney are now joining other systems across the country to move away from using paper records. This EPR system will form the backbone of our electronic clinical data systems and open the door for our staff and patients to access the benefits that artificial intelligence and other technologies bring.  We will work closely with our regional, national and international partners to make sure the new system is safely deployed.”

With the implementation of the EPR system, patients can expect a range of benefits. Medical professionals will have a comprehensive view of each patient’s medical history, enabling them to make informed decisions and provide personalised care. The system will also enhance patient safety by reducing medication errors, allergies, and adverse events through real-time alerts and reminders.

The EPR will facilitate seamless information sharing between the acute Trusts and other healthcare organisations, such as primary care providers, community services, and social care agencies. This will result in better care coordination and smoother transitions for patients onto their next place of care.

The approved Full Business Case, which had Ministerial approval last month, secures funding and support to begin the EPR programme. This funding is provided from both NHS England and Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board.

Ian Riley, Director of Digital and Data for NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board (ICB) said: “This EPR system will bring a wealth of benefits to patients across Norfolk and Waveney. One of our ambitions as an integrated care system is to make sure that people only need to tell their story once. This new EPR system will give staff better access to patient information, ensuring better, faster and safer care for Norfolk and Waveney residents. This is fantastic news for our patients, our colleagues and communities and I’d like to recognise the hard work of staff across our three acute hospitals who have contributed towards this programme.”

The Acute Hospital Collaborative is committed to patient-centric care, and the approval of the Full Business Case for the Electronic Patient Record programme represents a significant milestone in their digital transformation journey. With this state-of-the-art technology, the hospitals are well-positioned to provide world-class healthcare services while remaining at the forefront of technological advancements in the healthcare sector.

Both QEHKL and JPUH are part of the New Hospital Programme. The EPR and the New Hospital teams are working together to ensure that both programmes work now and in the future with patient care at the centre.