PRSB has joined a coalition of leading organisations calling for urgent national standardisation of electronic health records (EHRs) in eye care.

A new position statement published by The Royal College of Ophthalmologists emphasises that standardised EHRs are essential for delivering safe, effective, and coordinated care in eye health.

The statement highlights the current fragmentation of EHR systems in eye care and states that in England alone, NHS trusts use over 20 different EHR systems, many of which cannot exchange vital information. Additionally, primary care optometrists often struggle to access and update EHRs and NHS IT systems. The statement calls for urgent action to ensure all EHR systems adhere to defined national standards to improve access, outcomes, and efficiency across the sector.

PRSB’s Transition CEO, Oliver Lake said: “We fully support this urgent call for national standardisation of electronic health records in eye care. Clear, consistent data standards can reduce delays, improve communication between clinical professionals, and ultimately enhance patient outcomes. Establishing these standards is the essential foundation for interoperable care across all eye health settings.

This call also aligns closely with the government’s 10 Year Health Plan commitment to a single patient record, supporting integrated, patient-centred care. We look forward to working with partners across the sector to make this a reality and help deliver safer, more connected care for people using eye care services.”

Find out more:

• Full article (Royal College of Ophthalmologists)
• Position statement