Minister launches new health care system

A new electronic patient records system has been launched in Southern Trust.

Minister Edwin Poots launched Northern Ireland’s first Electronic Care Record (ECR) system and it will be implemented across the Northern Ireland Health and Social Care sector, including The Southern Health and Social Care Trust.

Siobhan explained the significance of the new system: “This is a new secure ‘portal’ computer system that will provide health and social care professionals with up-to-date medical information about their patients/clients. Up until now, patient information has been held on paper and on a variety of electronic system.

“Thanks to this new system, health and social care professionals will have easy access to key information about a person’s medical history, including details of past or ongoing diagnoses and investigations, medications or treatments. This information will be taken from different systems.”

The Electronic Care Record system is being implemented in the Southern Trust on a phased basis starting in mid-July.

Health Minister Edwin Poots commented at the recent launch of the Electronic Care Record: “This is a new and innovative way of doing things, and an example of how technology,clinical leadership and a collaborative approach can transform information into better care for patients.”