Two NHS trusts go live with Epic electronic patient records

Two NHS trusts have gone live with an electronic patient record (EPR) system from US supplier Epic.

Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust went live with its new Epic EPR across Northern Devon on 9 July 2022.

The trust, when it was known as Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust, received the green light to proceed with its EPR implementation in June 2018 after the trust’s board approved £42million of funding.

Suzanne Tracey, chief executive officer for the Royal Devon, said: “This is a huge digital milestone for our Trust. Having gone live with Epic across our Eastern services in October 2020, we will now be able to improve the experience for all of our staff, patients and carers, as all the information about our patients will now be in one secure place.

“Our core services cover more than 2,000 square miles across Devon. With Epic, it doesn’t matter if you visit our two acute hospitals, 17 community hospitals or community or specialist care services, or if your care is provided where you live – your care will be better joined-up and you won’t need to repeat the same information to different members of staff.

“In addition, Epic will help us to better mitigate the rurality of our local area through enhanced clinician sharing and virtual clinical input. For example, a shared patient record means that somebody who lives in Lynton could have a medication review with a consultant in Exeter remotely, saving them a long journey and improving their experience of our services.

“I’d like to reassure people that paper communications will still be available for patients who might be concerned about using new technology, or who don’t have access to a smart device.

“On behalf of our Board of Directors, I’d like to thank all my colleagues who have worked to make this transformation possible.”

Earlier, Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust went live with their Epic EPR in June 2022.

A statement posted on the trust’s website said: “Epic EPR is the best-in-class system and was chosen by our clinicians, who have remained a central part of the team developing and delivering our EPR.

“We are really excited about this next phase of our transformation to more modern digital processes and the positive benefits that it means for our staff and our patients.”

The £108million contract was awarded to Epic in August 2020.