Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust has successfully implemented the Rio electronic patient record (EPR) system, provided by The Access Group. This initiative aims to enhance care delivery across the trust’s facilities.

Key Features of the Rio EPR System

• Integration: The EPR system consolidates multiple systems into a single platform, allowing staff to access patient health and care information quickly and securely.
• Launch Date: The system went live on 12 May 2025.
• Positive Feedback: Initial responses from staff have been encouraging, indicating improvements in care delivery for both patients and healthcare providers.
• Streamlined Workflows: The project aims to reduce administrative burdens and enhance patient experiences.
• Enhanced Security: The system includes advanced security features to protect sensitive patient data.

Statements from Leadership

Lisa Yates, the director of digital and chief information officer at the trust, expressed enthusiasm about the project, stating:

“While we are still in the early stages, we are really excited to see what other opportunities this project brings in future. This project was a major undertaking, which required lots of planning and testing across various departments. Staff have really embraced a digital-first mindset during this whole process.”

Dermot Ryan, director of digital transformation at NHS England, commented on the significance of the upgrade:

“By integrating multiple systems into one unified platform, this project provides the potential to boost productivity by streamlining workflows, reducing administrative tasks, and improving data accessibility.”

Background Information

Previously, Herefordshire and Worcestershire NHS Trust utilized the Carenotes EPR system from OneAdvanced, which was phased out last year. In February 2024, the trust decided to procure the Rio EPR from The Access Group.

Steve Wightman, managing director for Access Healthcare, remarked:

“We’re delighted to be a part of Herefordshire and Worcestershire’s digital transformation. Their forward-thinking approach and utilization of digital tools will support efficient, high-quality care across the region.”

In recent developments, other organizations have also adopted the Rio EPR system, including Somerset County Council, which became the first local authority in England to implement it in March 2023, and Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, which completed its rollout in just eight weeks later that year.