Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) has sealed the deal with Epic which will see a new electronic patient record (EPR) solution implemented.

Digital Health News reported in December 2019 that Epic was Manchester’s ‘preferred bidder’ for the solution. The £181million contract has now been signed.

The EPR solution, called Hive, will eventually provide a new ‘operating system’ for the trust, replacing current IT systems, including three existing EPR and Patient Administration Systems (PAS) and a number of smaller specialty systems.

Michael Deegan, chief executive of the trust, said: “Following an extensive and in-depth procurement process, the EPR solution put forward by Epic has been chosen as the best to meet the complex and specialist needs of the Trust.

“Our future EPR solution will enable the trust to transform how we are able to work together across departments and professions to benefit patients and our staff. Creating one central point of access for patient records across the trust will improve clinical quality, patient experience, staff experience, and operational effectiveness in addition to opening new opportunities for research and innovation.

“The Covid-19 outbreak has demonstrated the national importance of integrating systems and processes in order to work effectively and dynamically. Once this system is implemented it will enable us to further improve services for patients and people who use our services.”

The contract will be spread over a 15-year period. It will cover Manchester University NHS’ nine hospitals across six separate sites.

Judy Faulkner, chief executive of Epic said: “MFT has an important role in improving patients’ health and quality of life.

“We hope the electronic patient record will contribute to improved outcomes for the communities of Greater Manchester.”

Manchester University follows three other NHS trusts in selecting Epic for an EPR solution.

University College London Hospitals went live with the US vendor’s integrated clinical system in April this year, while Royal Devon and Exeter received the green light to proceed with its implementation in June 2018.

Cambridge University Hospitals was the first UK trust to go live with Epic back in October 2014, as part of a £200m digitisation programme.