In a significant move towards improving patient care and staff efficiency, Devon’s acute hospitals and community sites are set to undergo a major transformation with the implementation of an Electronic Patient Record (EPR) system.
The ambitious programme has taken a giant leap forward following the awarding of a new contract to Epic, a leader in cutting-edge healthcare technology.
University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust (UHP) and Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust (TSDFT) have formally signed a contract with Epic, securing national approval for their full business cases in December. This signing marks a crucial step towards realizing a unified EPR system across Devon. By choosing a common supplier, the three acute NHS trusts in Devon aim to harness digital advances to their fullest potential.
Chief Clinical Information Officer for University Hospitals Plymouth, Mr Simeon Brundell, commented:
“The vision is to develop a Devon wide EPR that is jointly owned, implemented and supported in a truly collaborative programme. We know from the work we have previously done on our pathways, across Devon, that using multiple clinical systems and paper records is challenging for our staff and presents issues for patients accessing our services.
“By streamlining our digital processes into one programme, we will enable our staff to focus on decision making supported by accurate and timely information, as well as patient care.”
Epic's EPR system is designed to streamline healthcare delivery by allowing staff quick and secure access to patients' health and care information. For patients, this translates to a more cohesive and efficient care experience, eliminating the need to repeatedly provide medical history details to various healthcare professionals.
Royal Devon patients have already experienced the benefits of Epic's EPR system. The integration of a single digital record for each patient has enhanced the visibility of information among medical teams, thus improving both safety and the quality of care. Additionally, the MY CARE digital platform, introduced in East Devon in 2020 and North Devon in 2022, has empowered patients with better access to their own health information.
The collaboration with Epic continues to progress, with a planned go-live date for TSDFT in Spring 2026, followed by UHP in Summer 2026. As the rollout across Devon advances, new functionalities will be integrated into the Royal Devon system, further enhancing the overall EPR system for all three trusts.
By investing in this state-of-the-art EPR system, Devon's NHS trusts are poised to deliver a more connected and efficient healthcare experience for both patients and staff, setting a new benchmark for digital healthcare solutions in the region.
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