Our new Electronic Patient Record (EPR)
Our Trust is introducing a new Electronic Patient Record (EPR) system to support safer, kinder and better care across Norfolk and Suffolk.
An EPR is a digital system that brings together information about a person's care, including their medical history, appointments, assessments, treatments and medicines. By moving to a more modern EPR designed for mental health services, we aim to make information easier to access, share and use.
For service users, families and carers this could mean clearer communication, easier access to appointment and care information, and less need to repeat the same information to different teams.
For staff, it could mean simpler processes, easier access to information and more time to provide care.
Our current Electronic Patient Record (EPR) called Lorenzo, was introduced in May 2015. It helped us transform how we work by moving information from paper records into a more accessible and secure digital system.
Updating systems aligns to our wider plans to improve how we use digital technology and supports a more connected, modern and sustainable approach to care.
Introducing SystmOne
Following a detailed selection process involving more than 500 Trust staff, we have signed a contract with The Phoenix Partnership (TPP) to replace Lorenzo with SystmOne.
SystmOne is widely used in GP practices, community care and it is currently in use at 17 mental health trusts and social enterprises across the UK.
Trust staff, service users, and carers are working to develop SystmOne to meet their needs. We plan to start using it as our EPR in 2027.
Continuous Care: Moving safely to the new system
We are committed to delivering a safe and effective system. When SystmOne is first introduced it will provide core functions, which are the essential tools and features staff need, alongside introducing improvements in areas that will make the biggest difference for service users and staff.
The new system will bring together key information and provide access to existing records to support continuity of care. Following the move to SystmOne, we will continue improving how it is used based on feedback from staff, service users, families, and carers.
Shaped by staff, service users and carers
SystmOne is being developed with the people who use and deliver our services. Through our Listening into Action teams, which bring people together to improve specific parts of care, our clinically led groups of healthcare professionals, and a panel of service users who have experience of mental health services, we are helping shape how the new system will work across Norfolk and Suffolk.
We are not just replacing one digital system with another. Teams are working to improve how information is recorded, accessed and shared to support safer, kinder, and better care.
Key areas of focus include:
- More consistent appointment booking and waiting list management
- Allow staff to recording observations digitally while providing care
- Increased efficiency and accuracy of electronic prescribing and medicines management
- Simpler and more consistent care notes known as ‘clinical documentation’
- Better access to historical service user information
- Improved digital pathways for services providing specialist care
- Better communication with service users and carers
Together, these developments are intended to:
- Reduce duplication and unnecessary manual processes
- Make valuable information easier to find and share
- Make communication quicker and clearer
- Allow staff complete tasks more easily and consistently
- Improve data quality, patient safety and help staff make informed decisions about care
- Give service users more ways to access their care information