Airedale NHS Foundation Trust has established a revised go-live date for its electronic patient record (EPR) system after experiencing several delays.

Timeline of Events

• The Millennium EPR from Oracle Health was originally set to launch in September 2024.
• This date was postponed to November 2024 for additional testing to ensure safety and efficiency.
• The go-live was further delayed in November 2024, with no new date provided at that time.
• A new go-live date of October 19, 2026 has now been confirmed.

Current Status and Future Plans

Airedale NHS Foundation Trust has engaged PricewaterhouseCoopers to assist in the implementation of the delayed EPR system. A board paper released on January 14, 2026 highlighted the importance of this digital transformation, stating:

“This is a significant digital transformation for Airedale that shall bring material benefits to patients and staff for the long term.”

Risks and Challenges

A report from the finance performance and digital committee noted potential risks associated with the delay, including:

1. Operational impacts
2. Financial implications
3. Delayed benefits realization
4. Reputational damage
5. Challenges in achieving digital maturity

Funding and Support

Leanne Cooper, the chief operating officer and senior responsible officer for the EPR program, mentioned that:

“The current EPR programme status has improved from red to amber overall. Key risk relates to funding from NHSE Frontline Digitisation beyond 2025/26.”

Discussions regarding funding are ongoing with NHSE Frontline Digitisation, which aims to support the program’s delivery.

Conclusion

Cooper emphasized the trust’s commitment to the EPR program, stating:

“Our EPR programme remains a priority for the trust, to ensure that we move forward with our digital ambition to give our patients the best possible care.”

The trust is focused on ensuring readiness for the new system and will continue to engage with stakeholders to finalize the necessary preparations.