Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust (BHRUT) is delighted to announce it is introducing an electronic patient record (EPR) that will be fully operational in two years’ time. We’re one of the last trusts in London to move to an EPR and away from our unhealthy reliance on paper. We generate 25 million pieces of A4 a year – laid end to end, they’d stretch to New York.
There are many advantages for patients of this £44m investment in a new digital system. It is being provided by Oracle Cerner and the version we’re installing is the same as the one being used at Barts Health. We’ve benefitted significantly from their knowledge and expertise.
Our closer collaboration with Barts Health means that the records of someone visiting any one of the seven hospitals run by BHRUT and Barts Health will be accessible to the clinical team.
Welcoming the EPR announcement, Jacqui Smith, Chair in common at BHRUT and Barts Health, said: “This is our integrated group’s biggest and most consequential achievement. Through collaboration, BHRUT has received invaluable support from Barts Health as it introduces this long overdue digital system. Our joint working will make life better for residents and staff.”
The introduction of an EPR will improve patient safety at our Trust and reduce errors. Medical records will be more accurate and the reduction in form filling will free up time for clinicians to focus on their patients. All the relevant information – including blood tests, current medication and medical history – will be easily available to those treating patients across the integrated group’s seven hospitals – one patient, one record.
Matthew Trainer, our Chief Executive, said: “This is a game changer that will move our Trust out of the digital dark ages. It is an exciting and positive development. Patients and staff will reap the rewards for decades to come.”
NHS England is providing £1.9 billion to NHS trusts to ensure they all meet a core level of digitisation and have electronic patient record systems in place. This investment in digitising the frontline will ensure that health and care staff have access to health-related information when and where it is needed, supporting them to deliver care efficiently, effectively and safely, reducing variation and improving outcomes.
