[Whitepaper] The Optimisation Gap: Why Having An EPR Isn’t The Same As Using It Well

The UK EPR Network’s latest whitepaper explores the “optimisation gap” between having an Electronic Patient Record (EPR) in place and realising meaningful improvements and benefits in efficiency, patient flow, clinical experience and overall system performance across the NHS. Co-authored by members of the EPR Network, the whitepaper outlines the foundations needed – technically, clinically and organisationally – to move beyond digital implementation and towards truly integrated, high‑performing care. From sharing data across organisational boundaries and strengthening the longitudinal patient record to orchestrating patient flow, improving data quality and preparing for AI‑enabled care, it sets out what’s required for the NHS to unlock the full value of its EPR investments.

In this whitepaper:

• Why EPR adoption ≠ better outcomes by default – data quality, configuration, workflows and use all matter.

• Real-world case studies from acute, community and system settings show where optimisation succeeds and where challenges remain

• How interoperability, data quality and workflows are essential for safer, more efficient care and clinical benefit

• How to make optimisation a continuous process – not a one‑off post‑go‑live project.

Authors:

This whitepaper was co-authored by members of the UK EPR Network – bringing together expertise from leading digital health suppliers and NHS system partners:
Alcidion, Altera Digital Health, BridgeHead Software, Integrella, First DataBank (FDB), Orion Health, SI‑Squared, System C and the Healthcare Innovation Consortium (HIC).