ePCR goes live in Suffolk and north Essex

The iPad and ePCR roll out continues across the Trust after the successful implementation in Norfolk and Waveney on 20 July.  

The Siren Nova iOS ePCR system went live in Suffolk and north east Essex (SNEE), with the real time inbound patient information system Siren Notification Board activated at West Suffolk, Ipswich and Colchester hospitals. 

The day was not without drama when O2 experienced an outage in Colchester in the afternoon, reporting problems relating to the phone and internet, while the network in Bury St Edmunds was busier than usual due to a high number of people in the area.    

Despite this, within the first 24 hours of SNEE’s go live, a total 1,807 ePCRs had been created using iPads across all four regions Bedfordshire, Cambridge and Peterborough, Norfolk and Waveney. 

Laura Smillie-Henson (pictured), based in Ipswich, created the first ePCR sent to West Suffolk Hospital (WSH).  

Ipswich receptionist Hannah Mallin said Siren Notification Board “will make our job a lot quicker, as finding patients with accurate information speeds up the process and saves time for the hospital and the crews.” 

Paul Cullen, a paramedic from Bury St Edmunds station, said: “The iPads have been well received by West Suffolk Hospital reception and EEAST staff. Vinay Gunwat, ePCR testing manager, was great, and very knowledgeable and friendly. I’d also like to thank Stewart Butcher, West Suffolk ePCR lead, for his patience and leadership.” 

Published 19th August 2021