More than half of NHS staff using electronic patient record (EPR) systems say the technology has made their jobs harder, according to newly published survey findings in 2026. The polling, conducted by the Health Foundation, highlights growing concerns that digital transformation is not yet delivering promised efficiency gains across the health service.
The results indicate that a significant proportion of frontline workers feel EPR systems increase administrative burden rather than reduce it. Staff reported spending additional time navigating systems, inputting data, and working around usability issues, raising questions about whether current implementations are aligned with real clinical workflows.
These findings come at a time when the NHS has already achieved widespread adoption of digital records, with around 90% of trusts now operating some form of EPR system. However, experts warn that adoption alone does not equate to effectiveness, and that many systems are still being used in limited or inefficient ways.
Training gaps undermine digital ambitions
A key theme emerging from the survey is a lack of adequate training. Many respondents said they had not received sufficient support to use EPR systems confidently, contributing to frustration and inefficiency in day-to-day tasks. This aligns with wider evidence suggesting that workforce readiness has lagged behind technological rollout. Previous research has found that insufficient investment in training and skills development has hindered the NHS’s ability to fully realise the benefits of digital tools. Digital literacy has been identified as a critical component of the NHS workforce strategy, yet progress remains uneven. Policy experts argue that without sustained investment in staff capability, even well-designed systems risk being underutilised or misused.
Implementation challenges and patient safety concerns
The survey findings also reinforce broader concerns about how EPR systems are implemented. Poor interoperability between systems, inconsistent user interfaces, and fragmented procurement approaches have all been cited as barriers to effective use. In some cases, these issues have had implications for patient safety. Reports have previously highlighted incidents linked to digital system failures, including mislabelled samples and delays in accessing patient information. Experts emphasise that digital tools must integrate seamlessly into clinical workflows. If systems are perceived as obstructive rather than supportive, they risk increasing cognitive load for clinicians and potentially affecting decision-making.
A turning point for NHS digital strategy?
Despite the challenges, there is broad consensus that EPRs remain central to the NHS’s long-term transformation agenda. Initiatives such as the proposed single patient record aim to unify data across the system, improving access to information and enabling more coordinated care. However, analysts suggest the focus must now shift from deployment to optimisation. While most trusts have installed EPR systems, only a minority are making full use of advanced features such as integrated prescribing or data sharing between organisations.
The latest survey serves as a warning that digital transformation is as much about people and processes as it is about technology. Without addressing usability, training, and system design, the NHS risks falling short of the productivity gains and care improvements that EPRs were intended to deliver. As policymakers continue to prioritise the shift from analogue to digital care, the experiences of frontline staff will be critical in shaping the next phase of implementation.
