Frimley Health achieves HIMSS EMRAM Stage 6

Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust has become one of only seven NHS organisations in the UK to achieve HIMSS Electronic Medical Record Adoption Model (EMRAM) Stage 6 accreditation.

The internationally recognised HIMSS EMRAM framework assesses how effectively hospitals use electronic medical records and digital technologies to improve patient care.

According to HIMSS, achieving Stage 6 indicates that digital systems are embedded in clinical practice and support safer, higher quality care.

The accreditation follows an external assessment conducted by HIMSS on 12 June 2026, during which assessors reviewed the trust’s digital strategy, governance arrangements and the use of technology across a range of clinical services.

As part of the assessment, the HIMSS team visited pharmacy, intensive care, laboratories, the Blood Transfusion Service, Ward S2, the Emergency Department, radiology and outpatient services to observe how clinicians are using digital tools in day-to-day patient care.

HIMSS also commended Frimley Health for its Connected Care programme and the work of its Divisional Digital Clinical Leads (DDCLs), with assessors highlighting the trust’s approach to embedding digital leadership across clinical divisions.

Caroline Hutton, deputy chief executive and executive lead for digital services at Frimley Health, said the accreditation reflected the successful integration of digital technologies into frontline care.

“Reaching Stage 6 is a major milestone for Frimley Health. It acknowledges that alongside our Electronic Patient Record, our digital systems and clinical technologies are embedded in everyday clinical practice to support safe, high-quality patient care across the trust,” she said.

“This not only recognises how our people are embracing digital ways of working, but also how it improves outcomes for our patients,” she added.

While Stage 6 places Frimley Health among the UK’s most digitally mature NHS organisations, Hutton said the trust is now focused on achieving the highest level of the HIMSS framework.

“Our digital journey continues as we work towards the seventh and final stage of the HIMSS digital maturity framework.

“This next stage is about using digital systems effectively, driving continuous improvement, enhancing patient experience and showing how together they consistently transform care at scale,” she said.

She added that achieving Stage 7 would represent a key milestone in delivering the trust’s digital strategy, which aims to create “a digitally mature, smart and inclusive organisation” by 2030.

John Rayner, HIMSS Senior Director EMEA, said of Frimley Health: “Particularly impressive [is] the multidisciplinary management model supporting each division, with dedicated leadership from an operational manager, human resources partner, finance partner and information professional.

“This integrated approach (centrally employed – locally deployed) is widely regarded as best practice, ensuring that clinical leaders have access to the expertise and data required to make informed decisions across workforce, financial, operational and digital domains.

“By embedding information professionals within divisional leadership teams, Frimley Health is well positioned to support data-driven decision-making, performance management and continuous improvement.

“The model demonstrates a strong commitment to devolved leadership, organisational agility and the effective alignment of clinical, operational and digital strategies to improve patient outcomes and service delivery.”