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NHS England ‘ meets it ’ s targets ’ for electronic patient care records
NHS England had announced that the NHS has ‘ met the government ’ s target for 90 % of trusts adopting electronic patient records in hospitals ahead of schedule ’.
A total of 189 NHS trusts have now introduced new systems , it says , with Hillingdon Hospitals and Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS trusts becoming the latest to go live .
The government set the target of December 2023 in the policy paper , A plan for digital health and social care , published last year .
NHS England is investing £ 1.9 billion to support hospital trusts to either adopt a new or improve their existing systems to ensure every hospital in England can benefit from digital transformation . Last year NHS England spent over £ 400 million to support 150 NHS trusts and a further £ 500 million will reach trusts this year .
Speaking at the NHS Providers National Conference and Exhibition in Liverpool , NHS England ’ s Chief Executive Amanda Pritchard said : ‘ Thanks to the teams at Sheffield Health and Social Care and Hillingdon Hospitals , who completed their go-lives over the last couple of weeks , you have now delivered on the target for 90 % of trusts to have this capability in place ahead of winter .
‘ Delivering that switch isn ’ t easy , but it ’ s worth it because that ’ s the underpinning work that will enable us to benefit from new technologies .’
New Health and Social Care Secretary Victoria Atkins said : ‘ Electronic records give clinicians access to vital patient information when and where they need it , alerting them to immediate risks and giving them more time to care for their patients .
‘ I am pleased NHS England has met this important target ahead of schedule and look forward to working with the health service to ensure all NHS staff have the resources they need to deliver the modern healthcare our patients deserve .’
Electronic records will ensure health and care staff have access to patient information when and where it ’ s needed , supporting them to deliver care efficiently , effectively and safely .”
Dr Vin Diwakar , Interim National Director of Transformation at NHS England , added : ‘ Digitalising the NHS is the best way of delivering a modern healthcare system that will help to improve patient care and save lives . I ’ m delighted that 90 % of NHS trusts now have electronic patient record systems up and running in hospitals , and we ’ re continuing to provide support to the remaining 10 % to get this vital technology in place .
‘ Electronic records will ensure health and care staff have access to patient information when and where it ’ s needed , supporting them to deliver care efficiently , effectively and safely .’
The government ’ s 2023 mandate for NHS England sets a target for 90 % of NHS trusts to have an EPR system in place by December 2023 and 95 % by March 2025 . The remaining hospitals are expected to go live the following year .
Ensure we ’ re funding the research that will improve outcomes for all
RCOT has announced a new opportunity for members of the public to help it choose the research that matters with its Research Advisory Group .
It is looking for two people who have experience of occupational therapy services and an interest in research , to help make sure the research RCOT funds matters to the people who receive occupational therapy services , their families and carers , and the wider community .
If you ’ re an occupational therapist or organisation working with members of the public , RCOT needs your support in spreading the word about this opportunity . ‘ Experience of occupational therapy services ’ means a person who has accessed occupational therapy services or cared for someone who has accessed occupational therapy services .
Applications close on Thursday 29 February 2024 . Find out more and complete the self-nomination form at https :// bit . ly / 47IfSxG . If you have any questions you can also get in touch with Angie Thompson , RCOT Research and Development Officer
020 3141 4615 .
December 2023 OTnews 11