Clinical Systems Used in UK Hospitals

By Work Healthcare in Primary Care on September 3rd 2025 -

The digital transformation of healthcare in the United Kingdom has placed clinical information systems at the very heart of hospital operations. From electronic patient records to triage tools, here’s a guide to some of the most widely implemented systems across NHS hospitals, along with their official sources.

1. Electronic Patient Record (EPR) Systems

EPR systems consolidate medical histories, test results, prescription information and more into a unified digital platform. As of late 2023, around 90 % of NHS hospital trusts had adopted EPR systems, with an ambition for full coverage by March 2025. These systems underpin safer, more coordinated care by providing clinicians with real-time access to critical patient data.

IMS MAXIMS

IMS MAXIMS supplies open-source and commercial EPR and Patient Administration Systems (PAS) to NHS and private providers. Its software (openMAXIMS) is used by several NHS trusts, including Taunton & Somerset and Blackpool Teaching Hospitals.

Servelec RIO & Oceano PAS

Servelec provides the RIO electronic patient record and Oceano PAS. RIO has been deployed across mental health and community trusts, while Oceano PAS serves University Hospitals Birmingham.

Lorenzo (DXC Technology)

Lorenzo—developed by DXC Technology—was introduced through the now-defunct National Programme for IT. While it saw deployment in over 20 NHS trusts, its rollout was controversial and many trusts have since moved to alternative systems.

Epic & MyChart

Epic, with its patient-facing MyChart, is used by several high-profile UK institutions, including Cambridge University Hospitals, UCLH, Great Ormond Street Hospital and Royal Devon & Exeter.

2. GP and Integrated Systems

Though these are most common in general practice, several systems span primary and secondary care:

SystmOne – by TPP, used widely in primary care, community, prison services and selected secondary care modules.
EMIS Health – another principal GP system, often paired with SystmOne in digital infrastructure.

3. Supporting Systems and Tools

NHS Pathways

NHS Pathways is a telephone triage system used within services such as NHS 111 and some ambulance trusts, steering patients to the most appropriate care based on assessed need.

NHS Electronic Prescription Service (EPS)

EPS enables digital transmission of prescriptions from clinicians to pharmacies, including support for repeat dispensing (up to 12 months via e-RD).

Challenges & Prospects

Despite widespread adoption, clinical systems face ongoing challenges:

Interoperability and fragmentation: Many systems operate in siloes, making seamless access and sharing of patient records difficult—an issue that undermines patient safety.
Usability and training gaps: Frontline staff often struggle to use EPRs effectively, due to limited functionality or inadequate training, meaning benefits are not fully realised.
Safety risks: New implementations have occasionally led to unintended safety incidents. Patient Safety Learning has flagged under-reported risks and urged more rigorous monitoring.

At the same time, NHS leaders are investing heavily in digital infrastructure (for example, a £2 billion commitment), with ambitions for integrated care records and building the foundation for technologies like AI-enabled diagnostics and resource planning.

Conclusion

UK hospitals now rely on a diverse range of advanced clinical systems—from EPR and GP-integrated platforms to triage and prescription services. While progress has been substantial, regional variations, interoperability limitations and user challenges persist. There is a clear pathway forward: joining up systems, investing in training, monitoring safety, and leveraging innovation to improve patient outcomes. The next chapter in NHS digital maturity will determine whether technology truly enhances care delivery.

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