Late, over budget, with questions over what comes next: HSC prepares for launch of new electronic patient record system
- Health & Social Care is launching a new Electronic Patient Record system.
- It will replace the outdated TrakCare platform.
- Patients may experience short delays in appointments and test processing during the transition.
- Phase 1 of the programme has cost £22m, with further planning required for Phase 2.
- Staff wearing yellow t-shirts will assist with the new system during the transition period.
Health & Social Care is launching a new Electronic Patient Record system across the Princess Elizabeth Hospital, Oberlands, Castel Hospital, the Mignot Memorial Hospital, and the Medical Specialist Group.
This initiative aims to modernise patient services by replacing the existing TrakCare platform with a more efficient and safer system.
The EPR programme was first approved in May 2020 and was budgeted to cost £17.31 million
Nick Mann
Phase 1, which was initially scheduled for October 2024, has now had £22m spent on it.
HSC says attention is also now shifting towards evaluating Phase 2 in terms of costs, benefits, and overall value but that the remaining £1.7m budget is insufficient for the original scope.
HSC President Deputy Dr George Oswald said: "We are now approaching a significant milestone. While there will inevitably be a period of adjustment, the long-term benefits for patients and staff are clear.
“We are fully committed to making this transition a success and grateful to the community for their patience and understanding as we move into this new chapter and our staff adjust to the new system. This programme is essential to the future of our health and care services. I want to acknowledge the dedication and unwavering commitment of everyone involved in getting us to this point."
The upgraded system will facilitate more coordinated care by providing clinicians with quicker access to accurate information, reducing paperwork and simplifying the updating of care plans.
However, patients may encounter temporary delays in appointments and test processing as the new system is implemented.
Additionally, the Emergency Department is currently experiencing high demand, and wait times may increase during the transition. HSC assures that all emergencies will continue to be addressed and encourages individuals who require urgent care to seek treatment without hesitation.
HSC advises patients to attend their appointments as scheduled unless direct communication indicates otherwise.
There are no planned cancellations during the transition, although patients might see staff members wearing yellow t-shirts in clinics, indicating support teams assisting with the new system.
The new EPR follows the upgrade of the RiO system for Child Health and Children & Family Community Services in 2025, which HSC said yielded immediate improvements in data quality and staff experience.
The upcoming implementation will introduce the IMS MAXIMS system for Acute, Mental Health, and MSG, while extending RiO into Community and Adult Disability Services.
Dermot Mullin, Director of Operations for HSC and Senior Responsible Officer for the Electronic Patient Record Programme, said "We are nearing the culmination of an enormous collective effort across our services. Our teams have been working tirelessly to prepare while continuing to deliver high-quality care.
“Their professionalism, resilience, and unwavering focus on patient safety have been outstanding. The new system will bring meaningful improvements to the way we work. It will reduce duplication, enable faster access to accurate information, and ultimately allow staff to spend more time on what matters most: caring for patients. Although there will naturally be a period of adjustment once the system goes live, the long-term benefits for both service users and staff are significant, and we are excited to be nearing this important milestone."
For Frequently Asked Questions, visit gov.gg/electronicpatientrecord.
Comments ()