Electronic patient records: the view from maternity

The Government has made the development and implementation of electronic patient records (EPRs) central to its strategy for a new, modernised NHS. EPRs are intended to improve the organization and communication of clinical information, reduce duplication, and lead to increased patient involvement in the management of both their health record and their care. The results from this survey of maternity units in England and Wales have enabled the authors to make a preliminary assessment of how far the maternity services are prepared for such developments and how likely they are to accept them. The first of three articles, will report on how current record-keeping practices in maternity, and the legacy of existing maternity information systems are all likely to present considerable challenges for the policy and implementation of EPRs.