Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust has confirmed that its new Oracle Health electronic patient record (EPR) system will go live during the weekend of 20 June 2026, marking a major milestone in the organisation’s digital transformation programme.
The EPR system, known internally as “eCare”, will replace a patchwork of legacy digital systems and paper records currently used across the trust. Once operational, the platform will provide clinicians with a unified digital view of patient information across multiple care settings, helping staff access clinical data more quickly and coordinate care more effectively.
Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust operates several hospitals across the county, including Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro, St Michael’s Hospital in Hayle, and West Cornwall Hospital in Penzance, serving a population of more than half a million people. Health leaders say the EPR will play a key role in improving safety, efficiency and the overall patient experience.
Programme timeline and revised launch date
The eCare programme was first announced in September 2023, when the trust selected Oracle Health to develop a comprehensive electronic patient record platform. The system was originally expected to launch in spring 2025, following a period of design, development and testing. However, the timeline was subsequently extended to allow additional preparation and engagement with clinical staff. According to the trust’s chief information officer, Kelvyn Hipperson, the revised schedule ensures that the organisation is better prepared to make full use of the new technology once it is deployed.
Board papers indicate that the programme is currently rated “amber” from a delivery perspective, meaning that risks are being actively managed but the project remains on track to meet the planned launch date. Recent work has focused on completing data migration testing, integrating the new platform with existing systems and preparing for the training phase ahead of go-live.
Replacing fragmented systems with a single digital record
One of the main objectives of the programme is to move away from the fragmented IT landscape that currently exists within many NHS organisations. The Oracle Health EPR will consolidate multiple clinical systems into a single digital platform that captures patient information throughout their care journey. The system will store clinical documentation, diagnostic results, medication records and other critical information in one location, enabling clinicians to access real-time data during consultations and treatment planning.
By creating a unified patient record, the trust hopes to reduce duplication, minimise errors associated with manual record-keeping and improve coordination between hospital departments. Health leaders say the system will also support operational planning by providing better insights into patient flow, theatre scheduling and bed management.
Supporting clinicians and improving patient care
Trust executives emphasise that the technology is designed primarily to support frontline clinicians. Dr Allister Grant, the trust’s chief medical officer, previously highlighted the potential safety benefits of a comprehensive electronic patient record. Digital systems, he noted, can make clinical information more accurate and easier to share across teams, helping doctors and nurses make faster and more informed decisions. Another key goal of the programme is to reduce the need for patients to repeat their medical history when moving between departments or services. With a unified digital record, clinicians will be able to view previous consultations, treatments and test results regardless of where care was delivered.
Part of wider NHS digital transformation
The rollout forms part of a broader national effort to digitise healthcare across England. NHS England has invested billions of pounds in programmes designed to expand the use of electronic patient records, data analytics and digital infrastructure within hospitals. Many trusts are currently implementing new EPR systems supplied by companies such as Oracle Health, Epic, Dedalus and System C as part of this strategy. However, large-scale digital transformation projects often face challenges. Across the NHS, EPR implementations have occasionally encountered delays, operational disruption and productivity dips during the early stages as staff adapt to new workflows.
To minimise disruption, Royal Cornwall Hospitals has invested heavily in training and change management ahead of the June 2026 launch. Hundreds of staff across clinical and administrative roles are expected to participate in training programmes designed to familiarise them with the new system’s features and workflows. The trust has also recruited “eCare champions” which are staff members trained to support colleagues during the transition period and provide guidance on using the new platform effectively.
A step towards data-driven healthcare
Healthcare leaders increasingly view digital patient records as the foundation for future innovations in healthcare technology. Once implemented, the Oracle EPR will enable the trust to integrate additional tools such as clinical decision support systems, population health analytics and artificial intelligence applications designed to improve diagnosis and treatment planning.
For Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust, the upcoming go-live represents not just a technological upgrade but a broader shift towards data-driven healthcare delivery, where digital infrastructure supports both clinical decision-making and operational efficiency. If successful, the June 2026 rollout could place the trust among a growing group of NHS organisations moving towards fully digital patient records, an essential step in modernising healthcare services across the UK.
