Electronic Patient Record (EPR) Programme Director inWorthing inWorthing PUBLISHED FRI 15 NOV 2024

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (SPFT) is preparing to implement a transformative Electronic Patient Record (EPR) system, with the goal of being fully implemented by early 2026. This ambitious timeline reflects SPFT's commitment to enhancing care quality, patient safety, and operational efficiency, ultimately improving patient experiences and supporting staff with more effective tools and processes.

To lead this significant programme, we are seeking an experienced and visionary EPR Programme Director. This role will be pivotal in collaborating with Executive and Senior Leadership Teams, as well as the Integrated Care Board (ICB), to ensure organisational readiness for this transformation. You will be responsible for laying the foundation for a smooth transition from programme delivery to business as usual, ensuring the new EPR is fully integrated and prepared for long-term success within the Trust.

The EPR Programme Director will recruit, build, and lead a skilled programme team, establishing governance structures to guide the programme through to full implementation in early 2026 and beyond.

Finegreen is assisting the Trust with this crucial appointment. Applications should be submitted exclusively through Finegreen, who can be contacted as follows - Natasha Parmar - Head of Research on for further details, or Neil Fineberg - Chief Executive for an informal conversation on either or .

Executive-Level Leadership and Change Management :Provide strategic direction and executive-level leadership to drive the EPR programme forward in line with the ambitious early 2026 full implementation goal. Programme and Governance Infrastructure : Develop a rigorous governance framework to oversee the EPR programme, including risk management, budget oversight, and timeline tracking. Stakeholder Engagement and Relationship Management :Build strong, collaborative relationships across SPFT and partner organisations, particularly with clinical and medical staff who will be central to the EPR's success. Leadership in Transformational Change:Inspire and lead the programme team, aligning them around the vision for early 2026 full implementation, and motivate stakeholders at all levels to achieve this ambitious target. Programme Team Recruitment and Process Development :Assemble a highly skilled programme management team equipped to support the full implementation timeline and drive key project milestones

Targeted Communication Strategy :Develop a communication strategy tailored to senior executives, clinical leaders, and external partners, ensuring clear and effective messaging on the full implementation schedule and EPR benefits.

In meeting these responsibilities, the EPR Programme Director will drive a successful EPR launch, aiming for full implementation by early 2026. T

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Key Responsibilities:

To lead the Trusts EPR replacement programme and ensure establishment of the EPR Delivery Group.

Critically, to manage the alignment of clinical processes alongside the implementation of the new clinical system, working alongside clinicians and service directors on redesign aspects

To provide the business change process framework and develop the necessary strategic relationships to ensure a successful delivery

Create and maintain productive relationships with staff across all levels, both internally and externally

Ensure that the predicted business transformation and benefits realisation is driven and achieved, and provide evidence of this through reports to the Transformation and Improvement and Digital and Data Committees.

Appoint the programme delivery team and agree their roles and responsibilities

Define and direct the whole programme governance arrangements (MSP based) and ensure timely and professional reports to higher and adjacent groups.

Determine the optimal implementation approach, considering patient safety and costs, and agree with the EPR Delivery Group

Manage the migration from legacy systems and most importantly, ensure the patient records/information are safely available throughout the period of parallel running (single view of the patient)

Fully engage the Trust in the process of implementing the new system. Maximise achievement of the new systems capabilities through engagement of all Trust managers, staff and other relevant health care providers and partners

To be professionally accountable for the development of the plans which underpin the programme delivery and direct the programme delivery team in the establishment of appropriate programme structures and governance arrangements for the successful management of the programme, including budgetary and robust risk management.

To support the programme delivery team in directing and managing the expectations and output of nominated work-stream leads

Manage any outstanding procurement process and related contracts.

Manage the development of the system specifications, ensuring appropriate change control as the system is rolled out to describe the information needs of each functional area within the organisation, and becomes the blueprint for implementation (in conjunction with service re-design where appropriate)

Work closely with the Director of Technology to ensure that the EPR programme plan is aligned with the delivery of the Trust Technology Programme, and to determine the back office function/needs ahead of transferring to the new EPR.

Ensuring that Information Governance and system security requirements are fully considered and addressed through all aspects of the EPR programme. The protection of patient information is a key Trust priority and priority for this role.

The EPR Programme Director will report to the Director of Digital Delivery. The post holder will be responsible for providing programme assurance to the Trust Board and its sub Committees through the Chief Digital and Information Officer who is the programme sponsor/senior responsible owner (SRO)

To carry out other work, deemed reasonable and related to the sphere of clinical systems and business change, as required by the Director of Digital Delivery.