Over the next 5–10 years, the role of the electronic patient record (EPR) will change significantly. While much of the direction is already set out in the NHS 10 Year Health Plan, the real transformation lies not just in what we digitise, but in how the EPR supports clinicians, patients and systems of care in increasingly complex environments.

Many of the themes explored here reflect conversations we’re having with NHS digital leaders as they navigate this shift. Recent discussions with Harry de Voil, Chief Information Officer for Nursing & Allied Health at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, have explored how the role of the EPR is evolving, from supporting frontline productivity to enabling more integrated, system‑wide models of care. Their reflections help shape several of the perspectives shared throughout this blog.

From analogue to digital and beyond

The shift from analogue to digital remains foundational. Many NHS organisations are still completing that journey, moving away from paper‑based processes towards consistent, reliable digital workflows. However, this transition is no longer the end goal.

The next phase is the evolution of the EPR from a system of record into a platform that actively supports clinical decision‑making, productivity and care delivery across settings. This reflects Harry’s experience, where the EPR’s value increasingly lies not in replacing paper, but rather in supporting daily clinical work more effectively.

The shift from analogue to digital remains foundational. Many NHS organisations are still completing that journey, moving away from paper‑based processes towards consistent, reliable digital workflows. However, this transition is no longer the end goal.

Extending the EPR beyond the hospital walls

One of the most significant changes ahead is the move from hospital‑centric systems to models that better support care in community and primary care settings.

As care shifts closer to home, EPRs must add value beyond the acute environment, contributing meaningful insight for community clinicians, aligning with shared care records, and integrating with wider interoperability programmes. If designed well, EPR and analytics tools can support real‑time clinical decision‑making and continuity of care rather than reinforcing organisational silos.

A practical example of this shift can be seen at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, where extending the EPR into community services marked a step towards more integrated, patient‑centred care. This project highlights the importance of strong clinical engagement in helping teams move away from fragmented, paper‑based processes towards a single, joined‑up record.

By aligning the community rollout with outpatient services, Bolton now benefits from a shared record spanning acute, outpatient and community care. Community teams, including admission avoidance and district nursing, have real‑time access to information, while their partners such as Bolton Hospice can contribute to the same record, particularly supporting coordinated end‑of‑life care.

AI, ambient voice and the productivity imperative

Artificial intelligence is another major influence on the EPR’s future, with ambient voice technology already reshaping approaches to clinical documentation.

These tools offer clear productivity benefits, helping reduce administrative burden at a time of intense frontline pressure. At the same time, they open up exciting opportunities to evolve data strategy, blending structured information for insight and analytics with rich clinical narratives that support daily practice. Designing this balance thoughtfully will be key to unlocking their full potential.

As Harry noted, the challenge is not whether to innovate, but how to do so thoughtfully. It is key to adopt new technologies at pace while remaining clear on long‑term data strategy, clinical safety and sustainability.

Innovating at pace without creating tomorrow’s problems

There is understandable pressure to deploy AI‑enabled technologies quickly. But innovation without foresight carries risk. Focusing only on what is possible today can lead to duplicated effort or solutions that don’t scale.

Equally important are clinical safety considerations. Any change to how data is captured or surfaced within the EPR must be supported by strong governance and a clear understanding of patient safety implications.

The EPR as a strategic enabler

Ultimately, the EPR is evolving from a digital repository into an active enabler of care, one that supports clinicians wherever care is delivered, enhances productivity without increasing cognitive load, integrates across settings and enables innovation while maintaining safety.

Over the next decade, the EPR will remain the backbone of digital healthcare. Increasingly, its value will be defined by how effectively it partners with clinicians so they can deliver better outcomes at scale.

Learn more about how the Altera EPR platform is supporting NHS client trusts across the UK in our client stories here.