Funding to help seven hospitals introduce digital prescribing

More patients and healthcare staff will benefit from single electronic patient records as seven hospital trusts receive a share of £8.7 million to introduce digital records and e-prescribing.

To mark World Patient Safety Day on 17 September, Minister for Patient Safety Nadine Dorries said that NHS trusts will now be able to more quickly access potentially lifesaving information on prescribed medicines and patient history, and build a more complete, single electronic patient record, which reduces duplication of information-gathering, saves staff time and can reduce medication errors by up to 30 per cent.

The roll-out has already been introduced to over 130 NHS trusts, and is part of a £78 million investment to deliver the ambition set out in the NHS Long Term Plan to introduce electronic prescribing systems across the NHS. Over three years, this funding has seen £16.2 million awarded in 2018 to 2019, £29.4 million awarded in 2019 to 2020 and another £12 million will be invested later this year.

The seven NHS trusts receiving this fund are: Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust (£1,700,000); Solent NHS Trust (£988,000); Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust (£637,000); United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust (£1,258,000); North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Trust (£2,000,000); East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust (£1,595,000); and Birmingham Community NHS Trust (£531,000).

Speaking at Imperial College London event to mark World Patient Safety Day, Dorries said: “World Patient Safety Day this year comes at a more important time than ever, with healthcare systems and workers across the world tested like never before. In my role I have seen first-hand the dedication and care demonstrated by so many of my colleagues in the NHS and this year’s theme of health worker safety is a vital one.

“Today I am also pleased to announce the seven trusts receiving a share of £8.7 million to help eliminate paper prescriptions. This will not only help reduce potentially deadly medication errors but save our hardworking staff valuable time.”