Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

90% of NHS trusts now have electronic patient records

90% of NHS trusts now have electronic patient records

NHS England is investing £1.9 billion to support hospital trusts to embrace digital transformation

Digital transformation of health and social care is a top priority for the UK government and it has shown its commitment to it.


The National Health Service England (NHSE) has already achieved the target of making 90 per cent of hospital trusts adopt electronic patient records - one month ahead of the scheduled time.

As of 16 November, 189 NHS trusts have introduced EPR (EPR) systems, with Hillingdon Hospitals and Sheffield Health and Social Care being the latest to join the league.

Last year, the government published a ‘plan for digital health and social care’, setting a target that 90 per cent of NHS trusts will have an EPR system by December 2023 and 100 per cent by 2025.

Commenting on the achievement, 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.”

NHS England is investing £1.9 billion to support hospital trusts to either adopt a new or improve their existing systems.

Last year, it 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 on Wednesday, 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 per cent 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.”

Dr Vin Diwakar, Interim National Director of Transformation at NHS England, informed that they will continue to provide support to the remaining 10 per cent of trusts to enable them to embrace EPR systems.

“Digitalising the NHS is the best way of delivering a modern healthcare system that will help to improve patient care and save lives,” he stated.

Under the digital transformation plan, the government has also set a target for 80 per cent of the Care Quality Commission (CQC) - registered adult social care providers to have digital care records by March 2024.

More For You

The Complete Anti-Inflammatory Guide - a useful resource for pharmacists to support patient health and wellbeing

Chronic inflammation is linked to more than 50 per cent of all deaths worldwide and one in five cancers.

The Complete Anti-Inflammatory Guide - a useful resource for pharmacists to support patient health and wellbeing

When Hemant Patel was struck down by Covid, he was determined to discover what was it that led to the disease having a devastating impact on the lives of people who seemed be healthy – the culmination of his journey is the book, The Complete Anti-Inflammatory Guide.

“I was gasping for breath and counting the number of days I might be alive when I was infected with Covid,” reveals Patel.

Keep ReadingShow less
Cargo plane unloading pharmaceuticals at US airport amid tariff concerns and stockpiling

Imports jumped in particular from Ireland, the top drug exporter to the US

Pic credit: iStock

Pharma imports to US surged in March as drugmakers look to avoid tariffs

Pharmaceutical imports to the US surged in March as drugmakers stocked up ahead of potential US tariffs on their products, which have historically been exempt from such fees.

Total imports of pharmaceutical products exceeded $50 billion in the month - the equivalent of 20 per cent of all pharmaceutical imports in 2024, according to data from a U.S. Commerce Department report on Tuesday.

Keep ReadingShow less
Scottish community pharmacist working in high street pharmacy with supportive environment

The PDA wants investment to reach those who deliver services to patients every day

Pic credit: iStock

Funding boost in Scotland “needs to work for not just pharmacy owners but pharmacists too”, says PDA

An increase in funding for community pharmacies in Scotland needs to lead to a greater focus on supporting pharmacists rather than “simply sustain business models”, according to the Pharmacy Defence Association (PDA).

Earlier this week, Community Pharmacy Scotland (CPS) accepted the Scottish government’s initial financial offer for the 2025/26 fiscal year, securing a guaranteed minimum reimbursement of £120 million for community pharmacies — up from £110 million from 2024/25.

Keep ReadingShow less
GP surgery upgrades for annual appointments

The surgeries will have additional space to “see more patients, boost productivity and improve patient care”

Pic credit: iStock

GP surgery upgrades to create 8.3 million more annual appointments

Over 1,000 GP surgeries will have their premises modernised to meet the needs of a further 8.3 million appointments each year, the government has announced.

Backed by a cash injection of over £102 million, the surgeries will have additional space to “see more patients, boost productivity and improve patient care”.

Keep ReadingShow less
Wales boosts funding for pharmacy-led UTI and sore throat test services

The sore throat test (STTT) and treat service will be widely available

Pic credit: istock

Welsh pharmacies receive funding boost for clinical services

Two key clinical services will be available in 99 per cent of community pharmacies across Wales after a boost in funding.

The sore throat test (STTT) and treat service and the urinary tract infection (UTI) service have both benefitted from contractual negotiations between the Welsh Government and Community Pharmacy Wales (CPW).

Keep ReadingShow less