Medical Records: North West
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the estimated total cost is of the proposed unified electronic patient record programme in Lancashire and South Cumbria.
Answered by Preet Kaur Gill
In the 10-Year Health Plan, NHS England outlined its three strategic shifts, and the move from analogue to digital is one of those. Improved digital solutions are important to support improved outcomes. Four trusts in Lancashire and South Cumbria have developing a business case to procure a single electronic patient record (EPR). Three of those trusts currently have EPRs which are coming to the end of their existing contract terms, and one trust has yet to invest in an EPR. The joint approach will deliver better value for money and will support our clinicians and patients with modern solutions. Given the commercial nature of this exercise, the programme is unable to disclose matters relating to the financial case.
Approvals for each stage of the business case will be overseen by respective trust boards, the integrated commissioning board, and NHS England. The proposed unified EPR scheme will support integrated pathways of care, improve information sharing across organisations, and enable clinicians to access the tools and information they need to deliver safer, more coordinated care to the population of Lancashire and South Cumbria.
Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →