A HOSPITAL near Oswestry has signed a new contract that will bring electronic notes and prescriptions to its wards for the first time.

The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital at Gobowen has signed a contract to introduce Electronic Patient Records, which are intended to provide the most up-to-date information about a patient's care.

The Orthopaedic Hospital has been in the process of selecting a provider to introduce the new system since April 2021, and has now signed a deal with System C, a Kent-based company that provides IT systems for the health sector.

The EPR system will become the way to deliver care to patients by providing the right information by using a touchscreen, for quick access to their records.

Simon Adams, digital director at RJAH, said: "This is a very exciting development for the trust and the wider integrated care system (ICS) across Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin.

"The new system will enable RJAH to deliver better and more joined up care for our patients through a secure and modern platform, enabling our patients and staff to communicate digitally and improve the quality and safety of our services."

Border Counties Advertizer: From left to right:Stacey Keegan, Chief Executive; Craig Macbeth, Chief Finance and Planning Officer; and Liz Slynn, Commercial Director at System C; signing the contract.From left to right:Stacey Keegan, Chief Executive; Craig Macbeth, Chief Finance and Planning Officer; and Liz Slynn, Commercial Director at System C; signing the contract.

The system at RJAH will bring electronic notes to the wards, electronic prescribing, the ability to order tests and receive results electronically, and patients can even modify their own appointments.

What System C says

Bosses say it will mean managing patient flow, care coordination, alerts and communication becomes seamless, and it will integrate with the trust's theatre management software Bluespier.

Nick Wilson, chief executive officer of System C, said: "RJAH is a great trust with a strong EPR vision to improve quality and safety, we are delighted to be working with the trust.

"One of RJAH’s key requirements is to enable greater cross boundary working and support population health to deliver the local ICS agenda.

"We’ve developed CareFlow EPR over recent years to make it ICS ready and I’m pleased we can fully support their needs to deliver services within an integrated model."