The board of Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust has discussed a number of digital updates outlining work towards a digital strategic plan, developing a digital front door, through to procurement and medium-term planning.
The trust’s draft digital strategic plan, the enabling digital plan to its corporate strategy, was considered, with the need for further revisions identified to refine language for the target audience, the board notes. A clinical communication strategy is also in development, with an update expected imminently from the medical director.
A business case is underway for an acute clinical EPR, with the board anticipating its submission in March following executive input, and work is ongoing with the finance team on medium term planning. The target operating model is focused on a paper records plan, with the board highlighting that costs associated with paper records are “significantly higher than peer trusts”, and that benefits could be realised by freeing-up space.
Joint procurement principles from an alliance perspective have been reviewed, the board continues, with some practical issues reported, but plans to focus first on areas where benefits are expected, such as in hardware, commodities, and printers.
No critical IT incidents were reported to the board, and none were reported for clinical safety. “A CSO training plan is being developed with an aim to increase the number of CSOs to 20 in the next 12 months,” Gateshead notes.
Elsewhere, the trust shares its focus on establishing a digital front door, stating that since this is “a new way of working”, it will require support to implement across the organisation.
Wider trend: Trust digital transformation
West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust has highlighted digital progress and outlined future priorities, focusing on EPR optimisation, establishing a shared digital workspace, embracing AI, and enabling a digital front door. Progress continues to be made on its EPR optimisation programme, the trust shares, with some of the latest developments including improvements to handover documentation, the launch of CDS iRefer in community and acute settings, and the broader rollout of Alertive. Smart Zone functionality has been introduced to reduce alert fatigue by prioritising the most important alerts. An electronic prescribing system is also now live in its virtual hospital and outpatients.
Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust has published its latest digital, data and technology strategy to 2030, showing a “clear shift from traditional IT and information to a more aligned approach of digital health and data science”. Main focus areas include the consolidation of systems into a single EPR platform, the use of AI and intelligent automation, access to information and services, data science, robust and “cyber safe” infrastructure, a digital and data-driven culture, and digital inclusion.
The board of Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust in its latest meeting discussed some of the initial outcomes, challenges, benefits, and opportunities from its newly launched EPR. The EPR went live in November 2025 alongside EPMA, at a cost of £50 million. The trust’s radiology information system, picture archiving and communications system, and laboratory information management systems were upgraded simultaneously.
