Change Champions

Change can be challenging, especially when it involves significant shifts in established workflows and processes. Implementing an EPR is a prime example of such a transformative change in the health and care system. The introduction of electronic paper records replaces traditional paper-based notes and shifts the way information is stored, accessed, and shared among professionals.

Change Champions play a crucial role in the success of EPR rollouts for several reasons:

Understanding the Organisation: Change Champions have an understanding of the organisational structure, culture, and dynamics within our acute hospitals. This knowledge allows them to navigate potential barriers, anticipate challenges, and help develop tailored strategies to drive adoption and acceptance of the new system.

Stakeholder Engagement: Successful EPR rollouts require engaging a diverse range of stakeholders, including doctors, nurses, administrative staff, and IT professionals. Change Champions are great at building relationships, fostering collaboration, and communicating the value of the EPR system to these different staff groups. By actively involving key players in the change process, they help create a sense of ownership and shared responsibility, leading to increased buy-in and support.

Training and Education: Transitioning to an EPR system involves learning new processes and software tools. Change Champions help coordinate and develop training programs and educational resources to ensure that staff feel confident using the EPR system. They can identify training needs and advise on training materials, enabling a smooth and efficient transition for the entire workforce.

Change Management: Some of our Change Champions are well-versed in change management methodologies and can apply them to the EPR rollout. They may guide individuals and teams through the change process, addressing resistance, mitigating potential risks, and fostering a positive change culture. Through effective change management practices, they can help alleviate concerns and ensure that the EPR system is embraced as an opportunity for improvement rather than a disruption.

Continuous Improvement: The implementation of an EPR system is not a one-time event; it is an ongoing journey. Change Champions play a pivotal role in monitoring and evaluating the system's performance, collecting feedback from end-users, and identifying areas for continuous improvement. Their involvement extends beyond the initial rollout, as they remain committed to optimising the system and maximising its benefits for patient care.

What do Change Champions do? 

• Understand how our Transformation and Project Services team operates - what we do, why we do it and how we do it.
• Help Transformation Services communicate changes that will improve the digital/non-digital experience at work.
• Share information and build relationships between our divisions and the Transformation Services team.
• Discuss any change challenges faced and help to find and build possible solutions.
• Point team members in the right direction of project support, learning and guidance.
• Help with testing and in making key decisions on projects.
• Understand and champion our Transformation Strategy.

Why become a Change Champion, what's in it for you? 

• Early sight of digital/non-digital innovation that will make working here easier and improve how we deliver patient care across the Trust and ICS
• Opportunity to get involved in system demos, testing and give feedback
• Being part of a network of like-minded people who are passionate about technology and innovation in healthcare and helping others become digitally included – plus, you’ll get some satisfaction from being the go-to person for changes in your area!
• Early insight into our Transformation strategy, services and how digital projects are run, which should help you in doing your own job
• Direct access for raising any change challenges, issues and problems on behalf of your team, and help find and share solutions
• Pick up new skills, knowledge and expertise that are transferable in your own role and career
• Some additional training might be coming in the future

We will be signing up staff to become Change Champions soon and will share the process soon.