A COMPREHENSIVE electronic patient records system is being rolled out in East Lancashire hospitals.

The multi-million-pound investment by East Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Trust will replace paper records and other electronic processes, enabling access to a single source of clinical information, with a ultimate goal of having one patient information system across the region.

Trust bosses say the new system will provide clinicians with instant and full access to a patient’s history and treatments so they can make the best decisions about their patient’s care.

All patient information will be available electronically, on a screen, at any ELHT site at any time.

Clinicians hope it will transform the way they admit, care for, and discharge patients, while also greatly improving the patient experience.

Kevin McGee, trust chief executive said: “I am very proud of the progress made by ELHT over the past few years.

"This contract marks the start of our transformational journey, which has at its heart, patient care, quality of service, financial prudence, and social and community inclusion.

"It is clear that a robust and integrated EPR is vital in ensuring we meet the challenges we have set ourselves and will support us to continue to provide safe, personal, and effective care.”

Mark Johnson, chief information officer, said: “This is a big moment for us.

"It represents almost five years of hard work carried out by a combined team of dedicated people from performance and informatics and finance.

"The next steps will no doubt take us into an exhilarating episode of the future history of ELHT.

"I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their hard work and support both now and going forward as we embark upon this new exciting challenge.

"This innovation will signal a massive transformation in the way we manage, monitor, and deliver services and care to our patients and the people of East Lancashire.”