The Royal Free London has officially launched the second phase of its electronic patient record (EPR) project today, ensuring that staff can always access the accurate and up-to-date information they need to give world-class patient care.

EPR brings all our patients’ details together in one place – allowing quick access for clinicians, improving efficiency, and reducing the chance of errors. Already in use across Barnet Hospital and Chase Farm Hospital, this new project will bring EPR to the Royal Free Hospital, as well as emergency departments and critical care units across the trust.

The programme launch comes after months of behind-the-scenes work building a system that caters to our clinicians’ needs. The EPR is being co-designed by clinical staff – including doctors, nurses, midwives, pharmacists and allied health professionals – to make sure that it meets the needs of those using it and brings real benefits for their patients.

EPR also integrates with other technology that’s currently in use. Data from devices such as blood pressure monitors can be automatically uploaded into the system, and trigger an alert to staff if something unusual is detected. Once in the system, the data is more secure than paper records – as only those issued with a smartcard have access.

Programme director Alastair Crisp said: “It’s now two years since we first introduced EPR at Barnet Hospital and Chase Farm Hospital, and in that time we’ve seen just how much of a difference it makes to staff. Over the coming months we will work with clinical staff to ensure that it provides the same benefits to those at the Royal Free Hospital. The result will be that staff can access whatever information they need, in real time.”