Northern Ireland’s Department of Health (DoH) has announced that the encompass integrated care record system will go into its first use in November of this year.
It said the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust (SET) will be the first to use encompass, with other trusts to follow on a phased basis through 2024-25.
Developed with software provider Epic, the system will provide real time information to all those involved in caring for patients.
DoH Permanent Secretary Peter May said: “Since May 2020 a massive amount of pre-implementation and planning work has been undertaken which has provided us with a once-in-a-generation opportunity to replace outdated systems and transform how we provide care.
“Central to this transformation is the introduction of a new, comprehensive electronic patient record (EPR) system. Our new EPR will mean that care providers will no longer need to rely on paper based, admin heavy processes.
“It will also allow patients, clients, and service users to book appointments, review test results and letters, and communicate with those providing their care using our new patient portal.”
The DoH said that to date £113.8 million has been spent on the encompass programme, with a plan to spend a further £163.9 million over the next five years.
