As a result of the Trust’s recent acquisitions, the number of IT systems and digital platforms in use across the organisation has increased significantly, with some duplication. This has created an IT environment that is extremely complex to maintain and support, and in some cases has caused difficulty in accessing information in a timely manner and sharing information between services.
Following a comprehensive review of our digital systems, a significant programme of work is underway to harmonise the clinical systems in use across the Trust, with plans to consolidate, where there are multiple versions of the same system in use.
Progress to date
- Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust's Walk-In Centres are now all using the same Electronic Patient Record (EPR) system called EMIS Web, helping to improve information sharing and integrated working between the Walk-In Centres and primary care. Read more about the standardisation of the Walk-In Centre systems.
- The separate instances of the Rio Electronic Patient Record (EPR) system, which is used by the Trust for mental health services and some community services, have now been merged to deliver a single system for the population we serve. Read more about the Rio EPR system merge and access helpful support and guidance.
Next steps
Following the Rio EPR system merge and the move of our Walk-In Centres onto the same EMIS Web EPR system, our focus will now turn to working with our clinical services to further optimise the use of these systems in order to ensure they deliver the greatest benefit.
Our next priority is to merge the three separate instances of the Improving Access to Psychological Therapy Services (iaptus) system, which has been scheduled for November 2022 and to continue working towards our plans for the merge of the separate instances of our Electronic Prescribing and Medicines Administration (EPMA) system, with an indicative timescale of Q1 2023/24.
Merging the separate instances of these systems will deliver multiple benefits but most importantly will support our strive for perfect care by enabling better clinical decision-making and improved patient safety through access to a broader and combined set of records – delivering single systems for the population we serve.
Please use the links below to find out further information about our system harmonisation plans including useful support resources. Further information will be made available regarding further system harmonisation plans, so please keep checking back regularly for updated content.
Quick links
