Upgrading Hospitals with AI Integrated EPRs

An EPR (Electronic Patient Records) is a digital platform that stores all patients health information and records that is only accessible to authorised staff electronically, it is stored off at a location anywhere in the UK. This form of data would mean that it is less vulnerable to cyber attacks. This also eliminates the need for reliance on paper records. The electronic system is used by 90% of NHS Trusts. Computers cannot provide the knowledge and good judgement of a clinician. Instead, they help in ensuring that there’s a right delivery of care in place. It would reduce the likelihood of human errors.

When the NHS makes national recommendations or requirements, the EPR will be updated for all users. UHCW will continue to have a contract with the supplier, Oracle Health, to ensure that the software works and updates are installed each time they are available. IT support will be managed locally and EPR support will be by a joint technical and clinical team.

A joint EPR called ‘Healthset’ signed by four NHS trusts (Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust, and Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust) for £222 million and will implement its plan by April 2028. It will replace current IT systems, including EPRS, patient administration systems, and several specialty systems to join up healthcare record across acute organisations, community and mental health services.

AI is going to be integrated into the joint EPR. “Ambient voice technology is something that’s really exciting our clinicians, but I need it to provide that full integration.

“It’s no good if it’s just standalone and then someone has to transcribe into the patient record, so I’m looking at it all end-to-end,” Bryant said. Beverly Bryant is a Chief Digital Officer at University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust. She’s a BA holder.