University Hospitals Sussex EDs switch to digital observations
- 18 June 2026
- University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust has rolled out digital observations and e-prescribing in Royal Sussex County Hospital’s emergency department
- The trust has completed the transition of two emergency departments from paper to digital systems in under a year
- More than 3,800 observations and 16,400 medications were recorded digitally within 10 days of the go-live
University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (UHSussex) has implemented digital observations and electronic prescribing in the emergency department at Royal Sussex County Hospital.
The deployment, which follows a rollout at Princess Royal Hospital earlier in 2026, means the trust has transitioned two emergency departments from paper-based observations and prescribing to digital systems in less than a year. The move is part of a wider programme to modernise urgent and emergency care services.
Craig Marsh, head of nursing in the emergency department at Royal Sussex County Hospital, said: “The introduction of digital observations and electronic prescribing represents a significant step forward for the department.
“Real-time recording of observations allows for automated early warning scores and gives staff greater visibility across the department to support earlier recognition of deterioration and escalation where required.
“It also provides clear visibility of when observations are due, overdue or abnormal, helping teams prioritise patients who are at greatest risk. In a busy and high-pressure environment such as the emergency department, that visibility is incredibly important.”
Royal Sussex County Hospital hosts one of the busiest emergency departments in Sussex, with nearly 95,000 attendances each year.
The move to digital observations and prescribing gives clinical teams real-time access to patient information, reducing reliance on paper records and enabling earlier identification and escalation of deteriorating patients.
In the first 10 days following the project’s go-live, clinical teams completed 3,800 sets of observations and administered 16,400 medications digitally.
Nina Liddle, matron in the emergency department at Royal Sussex County Hospital, added: “For staff, these systems fundamentally change how care is prioritised and managed.
“The improved visibility of patient observations and medication status supports a more coordinated and proactive approach to care, rather than reactive task management.
“Staff feedback so far has been positive and we’re incredibly proud of how the team has adapted to the changes. Ultimately, these systems are not just digital replacements for paper, but enablers of safer, more responsive, and more patient-centred care.
“The implementation forms part of University Hospitals Sussex’s broader digital transformation programme and supports the trust’s strategic priorities of moving from analogue to digital and improving urgent and emergency care.
“It also helps establish the digital foundations required for the introduction of the trust’s electronic patient record in spring 2027, which will bring patient information together in a single digital record and support more joined-up care across the organisation.
“As the trust’s digital transformation continues, digital tools will increasingly support clinical decision-making, helping staff identify patients who may be deteriorating, spend less time on administration and more time caring for patients.”
Further emergency department deployments are planned across University Hospitals Sussex throughout 2026.
