New electronic health record set to improve healthcare for communities in Dorset and Somerset

A major digital transformation programme to improve the way people access and experience healthcare across Dorset and Somerset is now underway.

The Healthset programme, a joint initiative between Dorset County Hospital, Dorset HealthCare, University Hospitals Dorset, and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, has signed a contract with Epic to provide the electronic health record for the two counties.

Creating a single, joined up record will give health and care professionals a clearer, more complete picture of each person’s health and will replace a patchwork of existing IT systems, bringing together information from acute hospitals, community and mental health services.

This will help reduce delays, improve safety, and ensure the 1.4 million people living in the area don’t have to repeat their story every time they move between services or across county boundaries.

The Healthset team is now working closely with Epic to design and build the new system, with implementation planned for April 2028.

Beverley Bryant, Chief Digital Officer for Dorset Providers and Senior Responsible Officer for the programme, said: “This is a huge step forward for people in Dorset and Somerset. Some of our residents receive care in both counties, and this new system will help ensure their information follows them wherever they go. Epic’s solution will support safer, more coordinated care and make the experience smoother for patients and service users.”

David Shannon, Director of Strategy and Digital Development at Somerset NHS Foundation Trust and joint Senior Responsible Officer, added: “Our new EHR will transform how teams work together across sites and services. It will improve clinical quality, enhance patient and staff experience, and support more efficient care. It also opens the door to new opportunities in research and innovation that will ultimately benefit our communities.”

Mercedes McCoy, Vice President of Epic, said: “The trusts across Dorset and Somerset are connecting hospital, community, and mental health services on a single platform. We’re excited to work with their teams to give clinicians a complete view of each patient’s story and empower people to take a more active role in their own health.”

Virtual tour lets families ‘walk round’ Bournemouth’s Neonatal Unit

A virtual tour of Neonatal Unit at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital has gone live, enabling families to ‘visit’ the ward and get a better understanding of what to expect if their child needs neonatal care.

The 3D tour is available on University Hospital Dorset’s website and can either be watched in one go or navigated at the user’s own pace. Information tags have been added to explain the different areas of the unit and the equipment used to help people familiarise themselves with the clinical area.

Specialist nurse Lucy Fairbrass said: “Our Neonatal Unit in the BEACH Building at Bournemouth is just a year old so this is a great opportunity to take a look inside and see the layout of the unit as well as hear typical sounds of the clinical environment.

“We hope the tour will help families prepare and know a little more about what to expect if their baby needs specialist care from our team in the BEACH, reducing uncertainty and supporting their wellbeing.”

You can watch the tour at www.uhd.nhs.uk/services/maternity/services/neonatal-unit

The tours can also be used by families whose children were cared for previously in the unit, and were produced in collaboration with the Thames Valley and Wessex Neonatal Partnership. Find out more at Unit Information - Neonatal Network South East

Feedback from those who have used virtual tours of the units have been really positive and include:  

“This is such a gift for future parents! Preparing yourself for NICU is so difficult when you can't go inside. I wish I'd had this before my children were there as I know it would have helped me.”

“Amazing! We just showed our son where his bed was 9 years ago! Really good for him to see.”

Lucy Fairbrass, Specialist Nurse

A 'centre of excellence' is in the making at Poole Hospital

The development of a state-of-the-art Endoscopy Centre at Poole Hospital is taking shape.

The £21m development had a positive visit from Poole’s MP last week, Neil Duncan-Jordan, who believes it will ‘make a huge difference to our local healthcare service and the community’.

Neil was joined by University Hospital Dorset’s Chief Executive, Siobhan Harrington, and Dr. Suranga Dharmasiri, Clinical Lead for Endoscopy.

The new Endoscopy Centre is set to open later this summer, providing an outpatient facility to support planned care. The building spans two storeys, and includes six endoscopy procedure and associated rooms, as well as training and seminar rooms. 

Dr. Dharmasiri, said: “The new centre will enable us to treat more patients, reduce waiting times, enhance patient experiences, and train the next generation of endoscopy professionals in Dorset." 

Neil added: “I’m looking forward to seeing the unit completed and the positive impact it will have for patients across the area.”

The Endoscopy Centre will form a large part of the Dorset ICS’s long-term vision for the Community Diagnostic Centres Programme. The new facility will also enhance Poole’s future as a major planned hospital. 

An Endoscopy service will also be available at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital with inpatient facilities. 

A blessing from senior faith leaders

University Hospitals Dorset (UHD), recently welcomed The Rt Revd Rhiannon King, Bishop of Southampton, and The Rt Revd Karen Gorham, Bishop of Sherborne, to their Chaplaincy Centre at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital.

It was the first visit from senior faith leaders since its opening in March 2025, and was an opportunity to both formally bless the space as well as licence its Lead Chaplain, Revd James Taylor.

James said: "Our Chaplaincy Centre welcomes patients, families, staff and visitors of all faiths and none to this sacred space at the heart of UHD. Chaplains, supported by chaplaincy volunteers, are based here every day of the year, carrying out visits across the wards and public areas of the hospital. 

Since 2021 the Chaplaincy has been one unified service across UHD, which comprises Poole, the Royal Bournemouth. and Christchurch hospitals. Chaplains are highly valued by the Trust , and by our faith and belief communities that authorise and send them. 

 As Lead Chaplain, I take very seriously my public accountability to my faith community, the Church of England, and this visit shows how seriously the wider church takes the work of Chaplaincy.

I was also able to show them around our new environment at the Royal Bournemouth, where the bishops were delighted to meet and talk with some of our midwifery team. It was also a celebration of the journey that we have taken as a chaplaincy since moving onto the BEACH building almost a year ago.

I felt immense pride for the bishops to meet the chaplains and volunteers who make up our diverse team, and to show how we are working at the heart of the hospital to support our patients, their families, and our colleagues."