Patients attending Royal Sussex County Hospital’s A&E are benefiting from safer, more connected care following the introduction of digital observations and electronic prescribing.
The new systems replace paper-based observation charts and prescribing records, allowing healthcare professionals to record, access and update patient information electronically.
As one of the busiest A&E departments in Sussex, caring for more than 94,000 patients every year, the move to digital systems will help staff identify deteriorating patients earlier, support faster clinical decision making and provide additional safety checks when prescribing medicines.
The rollout follows the successful introduction of the same systems at Princess Royal Hospital earlier this year, meaning two UHSussex A&E departments have now moved from paper to digital systems in less than a year.
In the first ten days following the launch, staff completed nearly 4,000 sets of observations and prescribed 16,400 medications digitally, highlighting the scale of activity now being supported through the new systems.
Craig Marsh, Head of Nursing at Royal Sussex County Hospital Emergency Department, said:
“Real-time recording of observations gives staff greater visibility of patients across the department and supports earlier recognition of deterioration and escalation where required. It also helps teams identify patients who are most at risk and ensure they receive timely care.”
Nina Liddle, Emergency Department Matron, added:
“These systems are about much more than replacing paper. They help us deliver safer, more responsive and more patient-centred care. Staff have adapted incredibly well to the new ways of working and feedback so far has been very positive.”
The introduction of digital observations and electronic prescribing is part of UHSussex’s wider digital transformation programme and another important step in modernising urgent and emergency care services across the Trust.
The change also helps build the foundations for the Trust’s future Electronic Patient Record (EPR), which is expected to begin rolling out from 2027. The EPR will bring patient information together in one place, giving staff a more complete view of a patient’s care and reducing the need to access multiple systems.
As digital transformation continues across UHSussex, technology will increasingly support clinical decision making and reduce administrative burden, in turn helping staff spend more time focusing on patient care. For patients, this will mean a more connected experience, with information flowing more easily between services and supporting a safer, more coordinated care experience.
Further A&E departments across UHSussex are expected to move to digital observations and electronic prescribing during 2026 as work continues to modernise urgent and emergency care across Sussex.