Northern Ireland launches ECR
“This will enable better, safer, faster care and treatment for everyone whose care team uses the system,” said Edwin Poots, Northern Ireland health minister at the launch of the Northern Ireland Electronic Care Record. This is the first electronic care record for the country.
The web-based portal will enable the exchange of patient data gleaned from multiple information systems across the spectrum of care. The portal can only be accessed by authorized staff via the secure network.
“The NIECR gives our doctors and nurses a window into all the important health and care information that they need to provide the best care for a patient,” said Poots. “They will be able to look at information currently held in a multitude of different systems across the Northern Ireland Health and Social Care sector, to see details of past or ongoing diagnoses and investigations or treatments.”
Ulster Hospital, Dundonald, the Belfast City Hospital and local general practices took part in a proof of concept pilot. Following the success of the pilot, a contract was signed with Orion Health in May 2012 to deliver the portal and integration technology behind the NIECR, with an approximate value of £9 million over the next seven years.