East Suffolk and North Essex goes live with Epic EPR

East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT) has gone live with an electronic patient record (EPR) system from Epic.

The system, which went live on 2 October 2025, brings multiple systems into one main platform and is expected to help provide improved care for patients.

As part of the new system, MyChart, an app and website that patients can download or access to view their own hospital record, has been introduced to allow them to manage important information and understand more about their care.

Nick Hulme, chief executive at ESNEFT, said: “Healthcare is changing. We’ve introduced a new electronic patient record system at the trust, which brings a large number of benefits for our patients.

“The system will be a huge improvement for patients, offering safer, more effective care.

“MyChart puts patients in greater control of their own healthcare by allowing them to access their own information and respond to communications from their care team.

“The system, provided by Epic, is recognised internationally as a leading electronic patient record supplier.

“For staff, the system will transform the way we work by streamlining multiple systems into one main platform. This will make care safer, save time, and reduce duplication for teams — all of which patients will benefit from.”

MyChart does not currently include information from GPs or primary care, but plans are in place to integrate it with the NHS App next year.

In a LinkedIn post on the eve of the go-live, David Grannell, associate director digital at ESNEFT, said: “After four years of working with the most amazing and dedicated group of people we are hours away from turning on Epic electronic patient record for our staff, and most of all, our patients.

“What started as a blank piece of paper, development of a business case, a site visit to Clacton in October 2021, ends with a big bang on 2 October 2025.

“It will change the lives of everyone involved in the most positive way. The most seismic transformation ESNEFT has ever seen.”

In a LinkedIn post, Elizabeth Dunlop, chief nursing information officer at ESNEFT, described the launch as a “huge milestone” which will “completely change” the way staff deliver care.

“I love nursing, but I’ve always been struck by the opportunities to use digital technology to improve patient safety and make things easier and more efficient for clinical staff.

“Today, leading through Epic go-live, I can see those two worlds finally connecting—clinical care and digital transformation, working together for better patient outcomes.

“It has taken years of preparation, collaboration, and dedication from colleagues across every service, alongside our digital and clinical teams.

“I’m incredibly proud of everyone who has been part of this journey – your hard work, resilience, and commitment to getting us to this point is truly inspiring,” Dunlop said.

ESNEFT selected Epic as its preferred EPR supplier in October 2023 before signing a contract with the firm in March 2024 to deliver the system.