Somerset and Dorset Ink £222M Deal with Epic for Unified EPR System

Key Takeaways

Four NHS trusts in Dorset and Somerset have secured a £222 million contract with Epic for a unified electronic patient record system.
The new system, named Healthset, is set to launch in April 2028, aiming to streamline health records across various services.
The initiative focuses on enhancing patient care, clinical quality, and operational effectiveness through better data integration.

Electronic Patient Record System Implementation

Four NHS trusts in Dorset and Somerset have initiated a significant advancement in healthcare with a £222 million contract with Epic Systems to create a unified electronic patient record (EPR) system. Titled Healthset, this initiative aims to go live in April 2028 and will consolidate existing IT systems, including various patient administration and specialty systems. The goal is to create a cohesive healthcare record that integrates services across acute care, community, and mental health sectors.

Beverley Bryant, chief digital officer at the Dorset providers and senior responsible officer (SRO), expressed her excitement over the project, emphasizing the benefits it will bring to patients in both counties. According to Bryant, Epic’s solution was chosen due to its ability to meet the complex and specialized needs of all four trusts involved.

In an earlier discussion on the Digital Health Unplugged podcast, Bryant outlined a digital strategy focused on achieving integration across Dorset’s healthcare infrastructure. Historically, providers operated within their isolated domains, but the objective is now to unify services over the next five years. This ambitious strategy includes embedding artificial intelligence within the new EPR, particularly through ambient voice technology. Bryant emphasized the importance of full integration in healthcare records, which will eliminate the need for manual transcription and enhance overall efficiency.

The ‘Our Dorset Digital Strategy 2026-2030’ highlights how the unified EPR will shift the focus toward population health. Enhanced data quality, consistency, and broader system adoption are anticipated as the project progresses across neighborhoods. David Shannon, director of strategy and digital development at Somerset FT and joint SRO, stated that this clinically led, digitally driven program aims to improve clinical quality and patient experiences while offering new opportunities for research and innovation.

The contract with Epic officially began on March 13, 2026, and will continue until March 11, 2036, with the full implementation of Healthset targeted for April 2028. Mercedes McCoy, vice president of Epic, noted that this partnership will integrate hospital, community, and mental health services onto a single platform, providing clinicians with a comprehensive view of each patient’s health journey while empowering patients to take more control over their healthcare.

In parallel, in January 2025, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust along with Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust entered into a similar agreement with Epic as part of its One Devon EPR program, showcasing an ongoing regional commitment to modernizing healthcare through innovative digital solutions.

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