Repairing EPR data errors could cost NHS at least £13.5m in 2026

NHS trusts in England could spend more than £13.5 million in 2026 on correcting data problems that emerge after electronic patient record (EPR) go-lives, according to analysis by healthcare data specialists MBI Health.

The £13.5m estimate is based on MBI Health’s estimate of nine major acute trust EPR transitions expected to go live in England during 2026, multiplied by a typical post-go-live data remediation cost of £1.5m per trust.

The figure covers the direct cost of post-go-live remediation work needed to stabilise waiting list data, validate pathways, restore confidence in reporting and help trusts manage waiting lists.

It does not include wider productivity losses, internal staff time, longer-term optimisation costs, delayed benefits, or the impact of any patient safety incidents.

Dr Marc Farr, chair of the NHS Chief Data and Analytical Officer Network, said: “Too often, data experts are brought in too late in EPR programmes, when key decisions have already been made.

“If we want these transformations to succeed, data and analytics leaders need to be at the table from the outset, shaping how systems are designed, implemented and data assured.

“EPRs represent one of the largest digital and data investments NHS organisations will make. When issues emerge after go-live, they can take significant time and resource to resolve, delaying benefits and adding pressure to frontline teams.

“The reality is that many of these challenges originate long before implementation. By prioritising data quality and integrity and readiness early, organisations can reduce risk, avoid disruption, and ensure these programmes deliver the value that patients and staff need.”

According to MBI Health, the estimated £13.5m figure is equivalent to funding 420 newly qualified nurses, 280 highly qualified nurses, and 27,950 hospital bed days.

An NHS England spokesperson told Digital Health News: “While electronic patient record systems can have huge benefits, it is really important that trusts prepare well for implementation to maximise these.

“These systems should provide significant savings for taxpayers over the next decade following the initial investment in setting up new locally tailored systems and providing staff training.”

One of the biggest operational risks is disruption to patient tracking lists (PTLs), which hospitals use to monitor where patients are in their treatment pathway.

If records are duplicated, incomplete or migrated incorrectly, trusts can struggle to manage waiting lists accurately and understand which patients need action first. This can lead to poorer outcomes for patients who wait longer for treatment, and frustration for staff.

MBI Health’s analysis of previous EPR transitions suggests PTLs can increase by around 25% on average after go-live.

This can reflect duplicated records, incomplete data or referrals ending up in the wrong place during migration. Because PTLs underpin Referral to Treatment (RTT) management, disruption in these records can make it harder for trusts to manage waiting list performance and recover elective care.

The risks of EPR transitions extend beyond remediation costs. A recent national review by the Health Services Safety Investigations Body confirmed that new EPR programmes can contribute to missed, delayed or incorrect patient care due to issues in implementation, usability, training and optimisation.

Helen Hughes, chief executive at Patient Safety Learning, said: “Reliable patient records are fundamental to safe care, and when things go wrong, there is a risk that important clinical details are overlooked or that patients experience delays in their care.

“Investigations into EPR-related incidents have shown that these risks can contribute to situations where patients fall through the cracks, receive the wrong treatment, or come to harm in other ways, highlighting the importance of managing patient safety risks carefully during major digital transitions.”