Royal Devon approves Epic business case

Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust board has approved a business case to buy the Epic electronic patient record after putting the programme on hold to assess costs.

In a statement to Digital Health News, the trust said the board, “has agreed a business case for a clinical transformation programme supported by an EPR.

“The commercial details are now being progressed with Epic Solutions as preferred provider.”

The business case for the system was discussed in the public excluded session of the board’s April meeting.

The trust selected the American supplier as its preferred bidder last May, from a shortlist understood to include Cerner, CSC, Cambio and IMS Maxims.

However, Digital Health News reported in January that it was undertaking further work to assess the potential costs of implementing Epic, after making a £19 million funding bid to NHS England’s technology fund.

The fund initially had £240 million on offer, but this was cut to just £43 million earlier this year and Royal Devon and Exeter was not successful in its bid.

A trust spokesperson told EHI in January that further work was required ensure a viable business case could be supported by both trust executives and [foundation trust regulator] Monitor.

“The trust remains committed to progressing to a full contract award with [Epic]… we expect to conclude this final stage in April and move to full contract award as soon as possible after this date,” the spokesperson said.