IHRD-27 Response Accepted

Electronic Patient Information Systems

Recommendation

Electronic patient information systems should be developed to enable records of observation and intervention to become immediately accessible to all involved in care.

Published Evidence Summary
The following publicly available evidence relates to this recommendation:
The Encompass electronic care record system was rolled out across all five Northern Ireland Health and Social Care (HSC) Trusts by May 2025, providing a single digital health and social care record for all NI citizens, as confirmed by independent evidence from the Department of Health NI and HSC in February 2026. The South Eastern Trust went live in November 2023, Belfast Trust in June 2024, Northern Trust in November 2024, and Southern and Western Trusts in May 2025. The Department of Health NI's Implementation Programme updates (January 2024) had previously indicated this recommendation was 'In Progress'.
How was this assessed?
Assessed by gemini-2.5-flash on 24 Mar 2026
Checked data held on this site (government responses, progress updates, independent evidence)
External sources searched: www.gov.uk, www.health-ni.gov.uk, www.legislation.gov.uk, hansard.parliament.uk
This recommendation requires implementation across many organisations. The assessment reflects central policy response, not adoption in individual organisations.
Jurisdiction
Northern Ireland
Response
Accepted
Accepted Department of Health NI
01 Mar 2018

Electronic care record and digital health programmes progressing across Northern Ireland.

Read Full Response
Published Evidence

Published assessments of implementation progress from inspectorates, select committees, official progress reports, and other sources. Check the source type badge to see whether each assessment is independent or government self-reported.

Good Progress
06 Feb 2026
Department of Health NI / HSC Other

Encompass electronic care record system rolled out across all 5 NI HSC Trusts by May 2025. All NI citizens now have a digital health and social care record.

View detailed findings

This is the strongest area of IHRD implementation. The Encompass system provides a single electronic patient record across NI: South Eastern Trust went live November 2023, Belfast Trust June 2024, Northern Trust November 2024, Southern and Western Trusts May 2025. The My Care patient portal allows patients to view and update their health information. While this was a broader NI digital health initiative rather than solely an IHRD response, it substantially achieves the intent of recommendation 27.

IHRD Implementation Programme / Encompass Program… View Source
Source
Report Report of the Inquiry into Hyponatraemia-related Deaths 31 Jan 2018
Responsible Bodies
Department of Health NI Primary
Recommendation age 8.1 yrs
Last formal update 784 days ago