The authorities in Northern Ireland are planning to launch a new electronic care record (ECR) for the whole region to allow the sharing of patient’s data from various information systems.

The new ECR system will combine data from information systems from community, primary health and social care. Orion's health ECR system is being rolled out after a pilot project was conducted at Ulster hospital, the Belfast City hospital and two general practices in 2009 and 2010.

The pilot project involved 200 clinicians and more than 9,000 patients and was a test for the roll out of the system across the whole of Northern Ireland. Orion's ECR will be rolled out in 18 acute and community hospitals, all GP practices, community, mental health and social care at all of thefive regional trusts in Northern Ireland, under a contract worth £9 million.

The new system will allow patients to access critical patient information, including lab results, patient medications, allergies and clinical correspondence. The developers have integrated audit tools and patient privacy controls into the system to keep the system run smoothly and to allow corrective steps.

Health minister Edwin Poots said, The implementation of the ECR will contribute to the delivery of the key proposals within 'transforming your care.' It is about improving the quality, sustainability and safety of patient and client care.”

He also said expressed confidence that the new system will help in developing a sustainable health care system that will deliver now and in the future.