By Michael McHugh, PA.
The days of relying heavily on paper patient records are nearing an end following the award of a landmark digital contract in Northern Ireland, health minister Robin Swann said.
Encompass involves the creation of a single digital care record for everyone.
It forms part of a planned £300 million investment over a decade that will create 200 additional jobs.
The contract was given to Epic Systems, a global leader in patient systems.
Mr Swann said: "We are calling time on the current situation of multiple, ageing digital systems and a large reliance on the paper record.
"This investment will improve outcomes for our patients and service users by making it easier for our health and social care professionals to deliver sustainable, high quality care, improved efficiencies and greater collaboration across all care settings."
He said digital transformation will have a vital role in the rebuilding of health and social care following the first Covid-19 wave.
Mr Swann said: "For example, virtual clinics will increasingly be embedded in the provision of care.
"That innovation has been fast-tracked as a result of coronavirus. It is here to stay.
"Further digital innovation will revolutionise services and Encompass is a major step in that direction."
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