Essex trusts announce plans to deliver £65m Oracle Health EPR

Two NHS trusts in Essex have announced plans to deliver an electronic patient record (EPR) system in a £65m contract agreement with Oracle Health.

The system, which is expected to launch in 2026/2027, will build on digital investments to create a single patient record system across hospitals, mental health and community services, delivered by Mid and South Essex Foundation Trust and Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust.

Zephan Trent, executive lead for strategy and transformation for the trusts, said: “The introduction of a new, single patient record system across our hospitals, mental health and community services is a step further in enabling and empowering our doctors, nurses and health professionals to deliver the right care, at the right time and at the point of need.

“It will enhance co-ordination and collaboration among clinicians to aid faster decisions that will further improve the care we provide to our patients and their families.”

“This is an ambitious programme that seeks to better connect our hospitals and the community, with a chance to transform the way we manage health for people who use our services”.

The EPR is hoped to improve how clinicians access patients’ comprehensive health and care information in real-time and enhance patients’ experiences by meaning they do not have to re-tell their health or care history whenever they see a health professional.

Dr Matt Sweeting, executive medical director for Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board, said: “Patients don’t see borders between NHS organisations, and neither should we. Our digital infrastructure needs to reflect this.

“The new patient record system will reflect the reality of care across our acute, mental health and community services.

“Along with our approach to shared care records and our commitment to work with all our partners, this will support modern joined-up care across health and care services.

“This is exciting news for our patients, healthcare professionals and communities.”

Both trusts are working collaboratively on the design and implementation of the new system to help ensure it fulfils the needs of their patients and service users by empowering doctors, nurses and many other healthcare professionals across the area.

Seema Verma, executive vice president and general manager at Oracle Health and Life Sciences, said: “By utilising Oracle Health’s EPR, healthcare professionals working in the two trusts will be able to easily access comprehensive and accurate patient data, allowing them to make more informed decisions and improve patient care.”

Meanwhile in November 2024, Airedale NHS Foundation Trust told Digital Health News that it has indefinitely postponed the go-live of its Oracle Health EPR, which was originally planned to launch in September 2024, to resolve any issues and ensure colleagues feel confident in using the new system.

Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust also delayed the go-live date for its Oracle Health EPR in November 2024, to deal with “outstanding issues” around system and organisational readiness.