Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust has awarded a long-term contract to Altera Digital Health to implement a new electronic patient record (EPR) system, marking a significant milestone in its digital transformation programme. The deal, confirmed in March 2026, forms part of a joint procurement alongside Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, with both organisations signing 10-year agreements to deploy Altera’s platform.
The implementation is designed to replace a range of fragmented legacy systems, including patient administration and clinical record tools, with a single integrated digital platform. This positions Tameside and Glossop among the latest NHS providers to adopt a comprehensive EPR, as the health service moves towards near-universal digitisation.
Replacing fragmented systems with a unified record
Currently, many NHS trusts, including Tameside and Glossop, operate multiple IT systems that require clinicians to log into different platforms to access patient information. The new EPR will consolidate these systems into a single, real-time patient record, enabling clinicians to view and update information at the point of care.
This is expected to improve both efficiency and patient safety by reducing duplication, minimising errors and ensuring that clinical teams have access to the most up-to-date information. The platform will also incorporate clinical decision support tools, helping staff make faster, evidence-based decisions during patient care. According to Peter Nuttall, director of informatics for both trusts, the programme represents a “defining moment” that will streamline workflows and provide clinicians with better access to critical data.
Supporting regional integration and patient flow
The contract is closely aligned with Greater Manchester’s ambition to create a fully digitally enabled, integrated care system. By implementing the same EPR platform across multiple trusts, the region aims to improve interoperability and enable smoother transitions between hospital, community and primary care services. The system is expected to enhance patient flow by providing greater visibility of patient journeys, supporting discharge planning and reducing delays.
It will also facilitate better coordination between organisations, ensuring that patient information can be shared more effectively across care settings. The rollout further expands Altera’s presence in Greater Manchester, where its systems are now expected to cover five of the region’s six acute NHS trusts, creating a more standardised digital environment.
Platform for AI and future innovation
From a health technology perspective, the new EPR is designed not only to replace legacy systems but also to act as a platform for future innovation. Altera’s system supports the integration of advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence and predictive analytics, which can be embedded directly into clinical workflows. This could enable earlier identification of patient risks, improved clinical decision-making and more efficient use of resources.
In addition, the platform is expected to support population health management initiatives, allowing the trust to analyse data across its patient population and design more targeted interventions. The ability to integrate with other digital systems, such as regional shared care records and national data platforms that will be critical to realising these benefits.
Implementation challenges and workforce impact
Despite the potential advantages, implementing a new EPR system is a complex and resource-intensive process. The rollout will require extensive staff training, workflow redesign and careful management of data migration from existing systems. Ensuring clinician engagement will be essential to the programme’s success. Large-scale EPR deployments can also present short-term challenges, including disruption to services during the transition period.
However, evidence from previous NHS implementations suggests that these challenges are typically outweighed by long-term gains in efficiency, safety and staff productivity. The trusts have indicated that the procurement process involved significant clinical and operational input, helping to ensure that the system meets both immediate needs and future ambitions.
A wider shift towards digital maturity
The contract reflects a broader trend across the NHS, where digital maturity is increasingly seen as essential to improving performance and patient outcomes. By 2026, the vast majority of NHS trusts have implemented EPR systems, with remaining organisations now completing their transitions. For Tameside and Glossop, the move represents a critical step in aligning with national priorities around digital transformation, interoperability and data-driven care.
Looking ahead
The implementation of the Altera EPR will take place over several years, with phased deployment across clinical services. Success will depend on effective programme management, strong clinical engagement and the ability to integrate the system with existing digital infrastructure. From a technology perspective, the project highlights the NHS’s shift towards platform-based digital ecosystems, where EPRs serve as the foundation for innovation, analytics and integrated care delivery.
A defining moment for digital healthcare delivery
For Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, the contract marks a defining moment in its evolution towards a modern, digitally enabled organisation. By replacing fragmented systems with a unified platform, the trust aims to improve patient safety, enhance efficiency and support more coordinated care. As the NHS continues to invest in digital infrastructure, initiatives like this will play a central role in shaping the future of healthcare delivery, demonstrating how technology can transform both clinical practice and system-wide performance.
