Improved care, safety and experience: new electronic patient record takes major step forward at CWPT
Patients across Coventry and Warwickshire are set to benefit from faster, safer, and more joined-up care as Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust (CWPT) moves closer to implementing its new, Trust-wide Electronic Patient Record (EPR) system.
Following a rigorous tender process, the Trust has confirmed The Phoenix Partnership as the supplier for its new EPR, with SystmOne being the new system that will be implemented. The new digital system will help ensure patients receive more personalised, timely and coordinated care by giving clinical teams instant access to up-to-date information.
NHS England is providing £1.9 billion to NHS trusts to ensure they all meet a core level of digitisation and have electronic patient record systems in place. This investment in digitising the frontline will ensure that health and care staff have access to health-related information when and where it is needed, supporting them to deliver care efficiently, effectively and safely, reducing variation and improving outcomes.
Over 90% of NHS Trusts now have an Electronic Patient Record (EPR) system and 100% of Trusts will have an EPR or the EPR will be in delivery by March 2026.
Putting patients at the heart of digital transformation
Peter Newton, Director of Digital & Informatic Services at CWPT, said: This is a significant step toward improving the experience and safety of our patients. While this is a digital project, the true benefits will be felt at the point of care; where clinicians will have quicker, easier access to the information they need to make well-informed decisions, leading to better patient outcomes.
The EPR will bring a modern, secure platform that keeps patient information accurate and accessible across services. This means fewer delays, fewer repeated questions for patients, and a seamless experience from initial referral into services to discharge, as well as ensure standardisation across the Trust; from standardising the way our patient record will be used to standardising the letters that are sent out. The new EPR will mean we are working more cohesively across teams and services.
The new EPR will be centred around 3 key aims: enhancing patient care, empowering our people, and building a system with a strong foundation for future advancements.
Better information, Better care
Julie Frake-Harris, Chief Operating Officer and Senior Responsible Officer for the new EPR, said: This investment will enable our staff to spend less time navigating systems and more time focused on patients. With real-time data at their fingertips, our teams will be able to act faster, reduce errors, and tailor care more effectively to each individual accessing our services.
Our EPR journey is a cornerstone of our digital transformation; one that keeps patients and their experience at the heart of change. Providing a healthier future for our citizens through smarter technology
Clinically designed for enhanced patient care
Crucially, the development of the EPR has been clinically led, with 62 clinical and operational staff being actively involved in its procurement.
Dr Richard Onyon, Chief Medical Officer, added: Real-time access to a full picture of each patient's health will dramatically improve patient outcomes. Clinicians will be empowered to make informed decisions quickly, improving care and reducing unnecessary delays or duplication.
The Trust's new EPR will be a foundation for future innovation, supporting the delivery of high-quality, responsive care across mental health, learning disabilities, community, and specialist services.