Dear colleagues,

This weekend we’re finally going live with our electronic patient record (EPR). It will hold all patient information – such as medications, test results, and treatment plans - in one secure digital medical record.

Having an EPR is safer, more efficient, stops duplication, and will help reduce the 25 million sheets of paper we use every year. We’re the last trust in London to stop using paper and the benefits of this change will be significant for patients and staff.

We’ve prepared as much as possible, however, we know from other trusts that it’s likely to be a difficult few weeks ahead while staff get used to the new system and we manage any technical issues.

It will be particularly challenging in A&E where we’ve seen record-breaking attendances in October and we’re asking patients to attend only in an emergency. For illnesses and injuries that aren’t life threatening, there’s more appropriate options so they’re not waiting as long to get treated – there’s plenty of information on our website.  

As things settle down, patients and staff will start to see the benefits. The EPR will improve patient safety, reduce errors with the introduction of electronic prescribing, and cut form filling, giving clinicians more time to focus on their patients who shouldn’t need to keep telling different staff members the same information, something we know is very frustrating.

One single secure digital medical record means we will be able to make the best possible decisions about a patient’s care, not just at our Trust but at Barts Health too, as we’ll be on the same system. We’re extremely grateful for their support in helping us implement it.

As I said at our Board meeting this week, it’s the best example I’ve seen since I joined the Trust of how we’re collaborating and is a fantastic model of how providers can support one another to improve patient care, safety and staff experience by sharing knowledge and expertise.

This is a huge step forward for our staff and patients and while it may be a bumpy road as we move across to a digital system, it will be worth it in the long run for more efficient, safer care. You can find out more on our website.

Thank you for your patience and support.