Staff FAQs

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Why are the acute hospitals getting an EPR?
We are getting an EPR to give people and communities across Norfolk and Waveney better joined-up care. The digital patient record solution is part of a national ambition the government has to revolutionise how information is generated, securely stored and shared to improve care. The EPR system will transform the way we deliver care to patients with all patient information available electronically, on screen, at any acute hospital location, at any time. Using a digital system will make it quicker for staff to record and find information which will help people get better care at the right time, whilst giving staff more time to care. Information will be more accurate and up to date, improving care outcomes and the quality of our services. The EPR system will also help coordinate patient flow and support effective scheduling in operating theatres, outpatients and other areas. Information from other systems will be available within the EPR, reducing the need to log into multiple systems. Similarly, information from the EPR system can be shared to support patient flows outside the acute care setting with our partners in primary, community, mental health and social care.

What does it mean for me as a member of staff?
Clinicians will have more information at their fingertips to make better, more effective decisions. You’ll have automatic access to decision support tools, meaning your decisions will be made based on the best available information. In places, paper records will be replaced by digital records and there will be new ways of working introduced to take advantage of this digital approach. Administration staff will also find a number of administrative tasks easier to manage as information will flow around the organisation more easily.

Will it mean extra work for me and my teams?
As with any change, implementing new ways of working take time to bed in and become business as usual. In the long term, the EPR system will improve efficiency and remove the burden paper-based records bring to clinical and administrative staff. The way we manage our information will change significantly and this will have a major impact to many staff. There will be new equipment and devices for everyone to learn how to use, new software to become familiar with and new ways of working through process re-design. All these changes will be rolled out in a manageable way. We will provide training and support in many forms. This is a very exciting journey, and we want to bring everyone along smoothly and considerately.

I’m anxious about the changes the EPR will bring – help me feel better!
It is normal to have worries and fears when changes are being made, especially big ones, and it is important that you raise and address them. New processes may slow staff down initially during training and the early go-live days. However, once the new system is embedded, we fully expect to see significant benefits for everyone and know from other organisations where EPRs have been introduced, staff much prefer the new ways of working and would never go back to paper-based records. Additionally, some of our staff will have previously worked in trusts who have Electronic Patient Records, so many people will be familiar with the concept and appreciate the advantages it will bring. Our programme includes a whole workstream dedicated to support staff on this journey with resources assigned to ensure we have the right support networks; training programmes, and people structures in place to help our staff along the way.

Will students be given access to the EPR?
Yes. Students, locums and junior doctors will be granted access as required for their role. Access will not be granted until basic training is undertaken and signed off by their line manager for their particular role and access level.

Will staff who work across all three acutes need three log-ins?
No. There will be a single log-in for the EPR. Access is via the user role so the user can use their normal email and access the application that they are using in their role. It does not matter where they join from, they access a single Expanse system.

How much paperwork will be replaced and what will be the impact on our ordering forms and paper?
Some paper will remain in some areas and some pathways will be paper lite when the EPR system is here. Please see your Trust EPR digital change team and they will be able to advise on specific areas within each acute hospital.

Is there a list of systems being kept/ replaced or still under discussion?
Please find the latest list of systems being replaced by the EPR here

Acute Hospital Websites

NHS Norfolk and Waveney University Hospitals Group - find out more

Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care System Website