Delay in Electronic Patient Record System

The launch of an £88 million electronic patient record (EPR) system in Norfolk and Waveney has been postponed. Ed Prosser-Snelling, the interim group director of digital at Norfolk and Waveney University Hospitals Group, stated that the delay is necessary to ensure the system is implemented correctly.

Background on the EPR System

• In August 2023, the Norfolk and Waveney Acute Hospital Collaborative chose the US company Meditech to provide its Expanse EPR system.
• A contract was finalized in July 2024.
• The EPR aims to improve patient experience and streamline information flow among three acute hospital trusts: Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital King’s Lynn, and James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Revised Timeline

Originally scheduled for deployment in March 2026, the go-live date has now been moved to spring 2027. Prosser-Snelling explained:

“It’s not unusual to see EPR delays, especially since the Meditech Expanse product is new to the English NHS and our deployment is large and complex.”

Reasons for the Delay

• The upcoming general election in July 2024 caused a four-month setback due to contract sensitivities.
• Extensive collaboration with Meditech is ongoing to ensure the EPR meets statutory reporting standards and enhances care delivery.
• Concerns about potential disruptions to clinical activities during the go-live phase have been a priority.

Focus on Long-term Success

Prosser-Snelling emphasized the importance of a successful long-term implementation:

“The success of any IT project is measured by its ability to benefit the business, and that’s what we’re here to do.”

Future Developments

The collaborative aims to enhance the business case to offset any increased costs due to the extended timeline. Prosser-Snelling noted advancements in:

• Ambient voice technology
• Artificial intelligence
• Agentic AI

Commitment to Digital Transformation

Despite being referred to as a ‘digital desert’, Norfolk has made progress with electronic document management systems across its hospitals. The region is determined to overcome a 25-year gap in EPR implementation:

“We’ve got the shrubs in the ground; we just need to keep watering them and ensure we follow through with that process.”

Conclusion

All three trusts are actively participating in pilots for ambient voice technology and are planning to implement a comprehensive enterprise architecture program. This initiative aims to enhance cybersecurity, business intelligence, and overall digital performance.