In this blog, Maria Moors – former NHS A&E nurse and now Senior Account Manager at BridgeHead Software – explores what she calls the “NHS Data Divide” highlighting how, as the NHS adopts Electronic Patient Records (EPRs), up to 70% of data is often left behind. This fragmented history can delay care and affect outcomes. Maria explores how a Clinical Data Repository (CDR) bridges this gap by unifying legacy and current data into one accessible patient record – supporting safer, more informed clinical decisions.
Taking a break during an A&E shift in 2000
There I am in a grainy, scanned photo from New Year’s Eve 2000, the dawn of the new Millennium, taking a well-earned break during the night shift in A&E at a busy Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust. It was a different world then, when clinical records were paper-based and IT systems were minimal. We had a PAS system; lab results were available digitally; and A&E printed triage booklets, which we then filed manually. If we needed the full story, we had to request the patient’s physical notes – battered, overstuffed, and far from perfect – but they felt like they contained everything.
But did they?
At the time, I never questioned whether important data existed elsewhere. Were lab results missing? Were there reports locked away in a system I didn’t even know about? The reality was we worked with what we had, and it seemed to function well enough – until you look back with today’s perspective.
The NHS Data Divide: then vs. now
Fast forward to today. The NHS continues its drive towards implementation of Electronic Patient Records (EPRs). In May of this year, Future Health Intelligence reported that 94% of NHS Acute Trusts in England have implemented an EPR, which is a significant step forward in digital transformation. Yet, a staggering 70% of data is often left behind when transitioning to these new systems.
This 70% is made up of a range of varied patient information. There’s the data trapped in departmental silos (locked within specialist clinical applications that often do not talk to other systems). And there’s the patient data held in legacy systems. These can replaced applications – the old PAS that has since been substituted by a new EPR, for example; duplicate applications – that often result following a merger, such as multiple inherited PAS, EPRs, PACS, LIMS, etc.; and then there’s those systems that have been gathering dust in the corner of the server room that everyone is afraid to touch as they are ‘out of support’, spare parts are no longer available, and everyone is terrified it may fall over on their watch.
As a result, clinicians are now working with a fragmented patient history. While EPRs provide a fantastic snapshot of a patient – recent admissions, medications, referrals and more – the deeper historical context is often missing. That crucial discharge summary from a decade ago? Those old lab results that could confirm a pattern? This data is generally trapped in legacy systems or buried in archived boxes.
The real-world consequences of fragmented patient data
Imagine a patient – let’s call her Mrs. Miggins. Four years ago, she was admitted with non-specific abdominal pain, diagnosed with biliary colic, and discharged to her GP. Over time, she experienced recurring episodes, managed in primary care. Today, she’s back in A&E with severe pain and symptoms of pancreatitis. She’s in too much distress to recall her full history.
Her previous discharge summary, lab results, and GP records could provide immediate context – but they’re locked in an old PAS or a retired EPR, inaccessible to the clinicians treating her now. The result? Delays, repeat tests, and potential risks to her care.
Breaking down data silos with a unified Clinical Data Repository
This is where a Clinical Data Repository (CDR) changes everything. Imagine patients, like the fictitious Mrs. Miggins, who are suffering with long-term, chronic, co-morbidities. A platform that unlocks all of the historical legacy data, integrating it with current systems, will ensure that clinicians always have access to the full patient picture when consulting, diagnosing, treating, and/or referring patients. With a single click, all relevant history – across hospitals, primary care, and other settings – is available in one place. No more searching; no more fragmented records.
By bringing legacy data into a central repository, NHS Trusts can retire outdated systems without sacrificing vital clinical information. Instead of leaving valuable patient history behind, they can create a longitudinal patient record – one that follows the patient through every stage of their healthcare journey.
Why this matters
Transitioning to new EPRs is essential, but it shouldn’t mean leaving critical data behind in silos. Without access to complete patient histories, clinicians are making decisions with only part of the story. A CDR ensures that legacy data remains an important part of the picture, helping Trusts to enhance clinical decision-making, improve efficiency, and ultimately, provide safer patient care.
Don’t compromise on providing clinicians with a full patient history
We need to rethink how we manage legacy data in NHS digital transformation. Every patient’s story matters, and it shouldn’t be lost in the transition to modern systems. It’s time for Trusts to break down the barriers, bridge the information gap, and ensure clinicians have the full picture, not just a snapshot. With the right approach, this vision is no longer a pipedream, the reality is we now have the solutions available to overcome the NHS Data Divide.
Maria Moors has over 20 years of experience in healthcare and health IT, combining clinical expertise with a strong background in healthcare technology. As Senior Account Manager at BridgeHead, Maria is working with organisations across the UK and Ireland to optimise their clinical data management strategies and drive digital transformation initiatives.
Maria began her career as an Accident & Emergency nurse, spending 11 years on the frontline of patient care. Before joining BridgeHead, Maria also worked for Philips, Hyland, and GE – specialising in Enterprise Imaging and healthcare informatics.
Maria lives in Berkshire with her husband and son. In her spare time, she enjoys walking her dogs, singing, and is the Welfare Officer for two local grassroots football clubs.
Are you ready to unify your data to provide clinicians with a complete patient history?
