Jon Harrowven, chief operations information officer, and Nick Ansell, EPR programme director, give an update on our EPR programme.
Watch: the EPR programme update
In this update, Nick and Jon explained why the three trusts are introducing a new EPR – MEDITECH Expanse. They shared progress with the system build, announced the planned unified go-live in May 2027, and explained how staff will be involved through testing, training, EPR champions and super users.
The EPR programme is a major change across the three hospital trusts, introducing a single electronic patient record. The aim is to replace hundreds of separate systems with one shared source of information, improving continuity of care, reducing repeated data entry and supporting better information sharing across hospitals, community services, primary care and mental health.
The current planning assumption is for a unified go-live across all three trusts on the weekend of 22–23 May 2027. The system build was around 60–61% complete at the end of September 2026, and is expected to be completed and locked down by the end of December. User acceptance testing, training and readiness activities will then continue alongside further preparation.
Around 18,000 staff will need training and this will start in the spring. EPR champions will support testing and training, while super users will support colleagues during and after go-live. Now is the time for all staff to get involved with change teams, listen out for training news, keep up to date on this website, share information with colleagues and work with managers to plan time away from normal duties for training.
The EPR will not be perfect on day one, and some tasks may take longer at first, but the system will continue to be improved after go-live.
Key points
- One shared record: The EPR will create one shared patient record across our three trusts, replacing the need to navigate hundreds of separate systems. It will bring the trusts closer together and give a common foundation for future digital developments across the Group.
- Easier access: It will make it easier to access information when patients move between hospitals, and reduce repeated information gathering and duplicate data entry.
- Joined-up care: The EPR will help make sure the right information is available to the right people at the right time, as part of a wider ambition to connect people, services, systems and information around the patient.
- Better data: The EPR will bring information from diagnostics, medicines and other clinical pathways together in one place. Consistent, structured data will make it easier to compare information, understand how services are working and find ways to improve care.
- NHS direction: The programme supports the NHS move towards greater digitisation, less reliance on paper and better information sharing across hospital, community, primary care and mental health services.
- In-house expertise: The internal build team is developing the skills needed to maintain and improve the system in the long term, supported by specialists from delivery partner Huron.
- Local experts: Subject matter experts, medical directors, chief nurses, allied health professionals and other staff are helping shape workflows, system set-up and training.
- Testing: Before go-live, user acceptance testing will check that workflows work as expected and identify potential problems.
- Go-live: The programme is working towards a unified go-live across the three trusts in May 2027.
- Training: E-learning is planned for February 2027, followed by classroom training focused on staff roles and workflows.
- Champions and super users: EPR champions will support testing and training, and super users will support colleagues during and after go-live.
- Change network: Change teams and the wider change network will help share information, support local engagement and make sure staff voices continue to shape the programme.
- After go-live: The EPR will not be a finished product on day one. It will continue to develop, settle and improve.