18/03/2025
The Western Trust is set to revolutionise healthcare with the launch of encompass, a new digital system designed to enhance patient care and streamline medical records. Scheduled to go live on the 8th May 2025, this innovative system will create a single digital health and social care record for every citizen, replacing traditional paper records across all hospitals and care settings.
Teresa Molloy, Director of Planning, Performance, and Corporate Services at the Western Trust and Senior Responsible Officer for encompass, “encompass will allow Western Trust staff to access patient records instantly at the touch of a button. This transition aims to improve efficiency, reduce paperwork, and enhance patient safety by ensuring that medical professionals have up-to-date information at all times.”
What to Expect During the Transition
As the system is implemented, patients and visitors may notice some temporary changes, including:
Increased staff presence: Additional personnel will be on-site for training and support.
More electronic devices: Staff will use laptops, handheld devices, and mobile workstations instead of paper records.
Potential service delays: While all services will continue as normal, patients may experience longer waiting times as staff adapt to the new system.
The Western Trust acknowledges that this transition may cause some short-term disruptions but asks for patience and understanding as healthcare teams work towards a more efficient, modern, and connected health service.