Patients in north Cumbria benefit from new digital health system

Patients across north Cumbria are seeing improvements in their healthcare services thanks to a new digital system enhancing connectivity and safety.

The North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust (NCIC) has successfully launched the first phase of an Electronic Patient Record (EPR) system, provided by Alcidion.

This development marks a significant step in the Trust’s efforts to replace traditional paper records.

With this system in place, medical staff can access real-time patient information across multiple facilities - including Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle, West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven, and local community hospitals in Penrith, Keswick, and Workington.

The digital system simplifies referrals to specialist teams, monitors patient conditions more efficiently, and reduces dependency on paper records, promoting a cohesive approach to patient care.

This rollout has been recognised as a benchmark for NHS organisations nationwide.

Sir Jim Mackey, Chief Executive of NHS England, praised the process in a recent visit, noting the disruption commonly seen in NHS Trusts during large-scale system implementations was absent here.

Additionally, NHS England has commended the Trust's launch as an "exemplar implementation."

Nurses are already experiencing benefits from the new system on the wards.

Julie McColm, Ward Manager at the Cumberland Infirmary, said:

"Having everything in one place has made a real difference to how we work. We can quickly see the information we need about our patients, which makes handovers clearer and helps us plan care more effectively. It’s helping us spend less time on paperwork and more time with our patients."

Andy Laverick, Chief Information Officer and Director of Digital at North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, added:

"The successful introduction of our Electronic Patient Record is a major milestone for North Cumbria and one of the most significant digital transformations the Trust has undertaken. What makes this achievement particularly special is the way our staff embraced the change and worked together to deliver what has been recognised nationally as an exemplar implementation.

"For patients, this means clinicians have quicker access to accurate information, enabling safer, more coordinated care wherever they are treated across our hospitals and community services. While this is an important milestone, it is only the beginning of our wider digital transformation journey, helping us build a more connected, efficient, and sustainable healthcare service for the communities we serve."

The shift to digital records is part of a broader national strategy aimed at streamlining NHS services.

NCIC plans additional phases to extend the system further into Emergency Departments, paediatric, outpatient services, and theatres.

Work is also in progress to digitise historical health records, making vital information readily accessible.

These advancements aim to further strengthen healthcare delivery across north Cumbria, supporting more connected and efficient services for the benefit of both patients and healthcare staff.