Overview
All residents of Northern Ireland can now access a unified digital care record, thanks to the implementation of the encompass patient record system at the last two health and care trusts.
Recent Roll-Out Details
- The Southern Health and Social Care Trust and Western Health and Social Care Trust went live with encompass on May 8, 2025.
- This allows anyone receiving health and social care to utilize the My Care patient portal.
- Previous roll-outs occurred at:
- South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust in November 2023
- Belfast Health and Social Care Trust in June 2024
- Northern Health and Social Care Trust in November 2024
Statements from Officials
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt remarked, “Today marks a significant milestone in Northern Ireland’s health and social care service, as the final two health trusts go live on encompass. Its introduction across the trusts places Health and Social Care (HSC) Northern Ireland at the forefront of digital transformation in health service delivery.”
He expressed gratitude to all those involved in the project, stating, “This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity that has allowed Northern Ireland to modernize our systems and fundamentally improve how we deliver care.”
About the My Care Portal
The My Care portal was developed to facilitate the transition from paper records to electronic patient records (EPRs) through the encompass initiative. Key features include:
- Access to health information via the My Care app or website by creating an account.
- Continued receipt of traditional communication methods, such as paper appointment letters.
- Ability to grant proxy access to caregivers or family members for assistance in managing care.
Collaboration and Future Impact
The Northern Ireland health and social care service collaborated with Epic to develop encompass, utilizing best practices from leading hospital organizations worldwide.
Dr. Dermot Hughes, the senior responsible owner for encompass, stated, “This outcome is the result of many years of hard work and collaboration by thousands of staff. Encompass will enhance care delivery by making it safer, more connected, and more patient-centric.”
He concluded, “This is a proud day for the health and social care service and a significant step towards a healthier future for all in Northern Ireland.”
Additional Developments
In related news, Northern Ireland’s blood transfusion service transitioned from its 15-year-old laboratory information system to Clinisys WinPath in June 2024, aiming to create a unified technology platform.