Electronic Patient Records (Hansard, 27 November 2000)

§ Mr. Kidney
To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many acute hospital trusts in England have set up electronic patient records. [138828]

§ Ms Stuart
Electronic Patient Records (EPRs) consist of a number of components expressed in terms of levels. Targets in "Information for Health" relate to the implementation of EPR level 3, which encompasses clinical activity support (electronic clinical orders, result reporting, electronic prescribing and multi-professional care pathways).
The position at the end of September 2000 was that 11 acute trusts had EPR level 3 systems in place. This figure is forecast to rise to 21 by the end of the current financial year. The figures represent 5 per cent. and 10 per cent. of the acute trusts in England (based on 212 acute trusts). This accords with the targets set out in "Information for Health."
In addition, a further 65 business cases are being progressed and are at various stages of completion. The breakdown is as follows:
16 have been approved;12 are being considered;37 are expected to be submitted for approval in the next 6–8 months.
The figures indicate an increase in pace at local level towards achieving the targets set.
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§ Mr. Kidney
To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will ensure that the NHS develops a national electronic health record. [138830]

§ Ms Stuart
A key objective of "Information for Health" (IfH) is to ensure relevant information contained in an Electronic Health Record (EHR) is available to authorised clinicians in carefully prescribed circumstances on a 24-hour basis. In order to address this objective the strategy called for a number of demonstrator sites to be set up to explore the issues associated with the creation of EHRs. The creation of these sites is a key component of supporting the delivery of electronic records throughout the National Health Service. The demonstrator sites will also take on board issues arising from the NHS Plan, e-Government, and the Modernising Government Agenda.
In response to this commitment the Electronic Record Development and Implementation Programme (ERDIP) was launched in November 1999. Following a rigorous selection process I announced the names of the four successful demonstrator sites (Cornwall, Tees, South Staffs and County Durham) in April this year.
In addition, I also announced the names of 14 Electronic Patient Record (EPR) demonstrator sites. The presence of EPRs is a pre-requisite to the implementation of the national EHR. These sites will focus on: Specific issues identified in the information strategy for the NHS; Supporting the Government's key health priorities, bringing together patient records for those receiving treatment for cancer and coronary heart disease; Establishing links between health and social care for mental health, child and elderly care, between walk-in centres and primary care or NHS Direct and other health organisations; Specific areas such as maternity services or integrated care pathways.
The NHSIA is currently formalising the deliverables, timescales and the associated release of funding with each of the sites.
The work of the EHR demonstrator sites is being supported by two projects managed centrally by the NHSIA: Definition of the components of the first generation EHR that will need to be in place by 2005 to support 24-hour emergency care access to patient records. The development of an evaluation programme to ensure the sites will deliver solutions that can be applied on a national basis.