National digital leaders visit University Hospitals of Northamptonshire to see changes in action
The University Hospitals of Northamptonshire (UHN) has showcased its front-line digitalisation initiatives to national NHS leaders and demonstrated how they benefit patients and staff.
UHN – which runs both Kettering and Northampton general hospitals – welcomed visits from three leaders who are tasked with helping digitalise NHS organisations across the country to make them safer and more effective.
The leaders were NHS England’s National Deputy Chief Nursing Information Officer, Simon Noel, Regional Chief Nursing Information Officer, Deanne Driscoll, and National Chief Midwifery Information Officer, Jules Gudgeon.
They toured adult inpatient wards, maternity services, and the emergency department at Northampton General Hospital to see how it was implementing its Electronic Patient Record for all patients and BadgerNet system for maternity patients.
BadgerNet is secure electronic patient record for maternity patients which can be accessed via an online app, and which helps parents-to-be to stay informed and involved throughout their maternity journey. It was introduced at KGH in September 2025 and at NGH November 2025.
It enables:
- 24/7 access to pregnancy records via smartphone, tablet, or PC
- Real-time updates from the care team
- The ability to log key pregnancy events and preferences
- Access to personalised care plans and trusted maternity information
- A secure, centralised record that reduces duplication and paperwork
The Electronic Patient Record – Was introduced at Northampton General Hospital in June 2025. It is a major investment in modern, safer, and more efficient care and the system. The system being used was developed by Nervecentre and it brings together all of a patient’s medical information into one secure, digital platform. It means clinicians have vast amounts of information about individual patient’s care records at their fingertips – reducing duplicated efforts and improving safety – and this information will be available via hand-held devices like iPhone and iPads.
The visit enabled UHN to show how important it was to get front-line staff involved in the transformation to make it successful.
Group Chief X Information Officer, Ramandeep Kaur, said: “Digital transformation only succeeds when our frontline teams see themselves in the journey.
“The dedication of our clinical, administrative and operational colleagues embracing our Nervecentre EPR, championing BadgerNet across UHN, and driving safer, connected care has been extraordinary. It's their belief in the vision that turns technology into betterpatient outcomes.”
Group Chief Digital Information Officer, Will Monaghan, said: “'What mattered most about this visit was that national leaders took the time to see how digital is landing at the frontline - not in a boardroom, but on the wards.
“The conversations were open and honest, and our colleagues really valued being part of them. We've got plenty still to do, but the progress our teams have made is something to be proud of.”
The visit involved conversations with frontline colleagues about how digital tools are supporting clinical decisions, improving documentation, and making things easier for patients.
The national team asked questions, listened carefully, and were genuinely curious about what was working.
National Deputy Chief Nursing Information Officer Simon Noel said: “Digital is not just something on the side. It is everyone's responsibility for organisational change - enabling the workforce to use technology effectively while giving patients the space to advocate for digital transformation.”
Regional Chief Nursing Information Officer, Deanne Driscoll, said: “'I am incredibly proud of how colleagues at UHN have embraced their digital journey. The positivity and engagement from staff are a real credit to the Digital Team, and their vision is clearly supported by Trust senior leaders and executives.”
The Trust thanked Simon, Deanne, and Jules for their time and thoughtful engagement and for helping strengthen the connection between national ambition and what's happening on the ground in hospital Trusts.