Key Takeaways
- Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust has achieved HIMSS EMRAM Stage 6 accreditation, marking it as one of seven NHS organizations in the UK to do so.
- The accreditation reflects the successful integration of digital technologies into clinical practice, improving patient care quality and safety.
- The trust aims to reach HIMSS Stage 7 by 2030, focusing on continuous improvement and enhanced patient experiences through digital systems.
Frimley Health’s Digital Milestone
Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust has garnered attention for becoming one of only seven NHS organizations in the UK to attain the HIMSS Electronic Medical Record Adoption Model (EMRAM) Stage 6 accreditation. This internationally recognized framework evaluates how effectively hospitals leverage electronic medical records and digital technologies to enhance patient care.
Achieving Stage 6 signifies that Frimley’s digital systems are woven into clinical practice, enabling safer and higher quality care. The external assessment by HIMSS, conducted on June 12, 2026, reviewed the trust’s digital strategy, governance, and implementation of technology across various clinical services.
During the assessment, HIMSS representatives visited multiple departments, including pharmacy, intensive care, and the Emergency Department, to observe the use of digital tools in daily patient care. The HIMSS team praised Frimley Health for its Connected Care program and recognized the efforts of its Divisional Digital Clinical Leads (DDCLs). The trust’s commitment to embedding digital leadership throughout clinical divisions was specifically highlighted.
Caroline Hutton, deputy chief executive and executive lead for digital services at Frimley Health, emphasized that this accreditation reflects the organization’s successful integration of digital technologies into frontline care. Hutton stated, “Reaching Stage 6 is a major milestone for Frimley Health. It acknowledges that alongside our Electronic Patient Record, our digital systems and clinical technologies are embedded in everyday clinical practice to support safe, high-quality patient care across the trust.”
With this achievement, Frimley Health joins the ranks of the UK’s most digitally advanced NHS organizations. However, Hutton indicated that the trust is now focused on achieving HIMSS Stage 7, the final level of the framework. She noted that this next stage involves the effective use of digital systems to foster continuous improvement and enhance patient experiences, ultimately transforming care on a broader scale.
Hutton described Stage 7 as a crucial milestone in Frimley’s digital strategy, which aims to develop a “digitally mature, smart and inclusive organization” by 2030. John Rayner, HIMSS Senior Director EMEA, commended Frimley Health for its multidisciplinary management model, which supports each division through dedicated leadership in operational management, human resources, finance, and information.
This integrated approach has been recognized as best practice, ensuring clinical leaders access necessary expertise and data for informed decision-making across workforce, financial, operational, and digital domains. Rayner highlighted that by embedding information professionals within divisional leadership teams, Frimley Health is well-equipped to support data-driven decision-making, performance management, and ongoing improvement.
Frimley Health’s commitment to devolved leadership, organizational agility, and the alignment of clinical, operational, and digital strategies showcases its dedication to improving patient outcomes and delivering high-quality services.
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