Morecambe Bay goes live with Lorenzo 1.9

University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Trust has gone live with Lorenzo Release 1.9 across its five hospital sites, E-Health Insider can exclusively reveal.

The implementation of the iSoft software, a key part of the National Programme for IT in the NHS, was carried out by local service provider CSC.

The trust has confirmed that it has become the first acute hospital to use the Lorenzo software with patient administration functionality. The software is being used by 3,500 staff across its five hospitals for all clinical activity.

Tony Halsall, chief executive, UHMBT, said: “Becoming the first acute trust in England to implement Lorenzo is not only fantastic news for the trust and our staff, but also for our patients.

“All of our wards were brought live by the project team in a phased manner over the Bank Holiday weekend and by the morning of Sunday 30 May 2010, every ward in each of our hospitals was using Lorenzo. We expect to complete the full implementation of Lorenzo by Thursday 3 June 2010."

The trust said that the project team has been rigorously testing and refining the system in house over the past four years.

Steve Fairclough, head of health informatics at the trust said: “With the launch of any new computer system, you expect to encounter teething problems that only appear after go-live.

“We have a team of people on site who are correctly equipped to both identify and fix any that may appear. I am confident in Lorenzo and also in my team who are working around the clock to implement it.”

George Nasmyth, consultant surgeon and associate medical director, added: “I have been using Lorenzo to write operation notes and have found its potential considerable.

“First and foremost are the needs of our patients and new modules are being developed, including prescribing, which has the potential for immediate and accurate communication of treatment protocols between primary and secondary care with huge advantages for patients.”

The trust said that support has been on hand 24-hours a day to help staff and feedback so far has been positive.

Patricia Fenton, staff nurse in the renal unit at Westmorland General Hospital, said: "Having feared the arrival of Lorenzo for months, I have actually found the system very easy to use. The help and assistance provided by our floorwalker during the changeover actually made the whole thing an enjoyable experience."

Yvonne Anderson, staff nurse at Furness General Hospital added: “At first, I thought Lorenzo was mind boggling, but I have now mastered it. Transferring patients is much easier and I was really chuffed to be able to print out labels, wrist bands and patient front sheets from one screen – it is so much quicker.”

EHI understands that the trust plans to subsequently install Lorenzo 2.0 in its A&E department within the next two months.