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Written question asked by Andrew Snowden (Conservative) on Friday, 5 June 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 9 June 2026. It was answered by Preet Kaur Gill (Labour) on Monday, 22 June 2026 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Medical Records: North West

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the estimated total cost is of the proposed unified electronic patient record programme in Lancashire and South Cumbria.

Answer

In the 10-Year Health Plan, NHS England outlined its three strategic shifts, and the move from analogue to digital is one of those. Improved digital solutions are important to support improved outcomes. Four trusts in Lancashire and South Cumbria have developing a business case to procure a single electronic patient record (EPR). Three of those trusts currently have EPRs which are coming to the end of their existing contract terms, and one trust has yet to invest in an EPR. The joint approach will deliver better value for money and will support our clinicians and patients with modern solutions. Given the commercial nature of this exercise, the programme is unable to disclose matters relating to the financial case.

Approvals for each stage of the business case will be overseen by respective trust boards, the integrated commissioning board, and NHS England. The proposed unified EPR scheme will support integrated pathways of care, improve information sharing across organisations, and enable clinicians to access the tools and information they need to deliver safer, more coordinated care to the population of Lancashire and South Cumbria.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
7235
Session
2026-27
Subjects
Databases Medical records North West
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk