Caroline Hutton, deputy chief executive and executive director of digital services at Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust (Credit: Frimley Health)
Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust has become one of seven NHS organizations in the UK to achieve HIMSS Electronic Medical Records Adoption Model (EMRAM) stage 6 accreditation.
The internationally recognized HIMSS EMRAM framework evaluates how effectively hospitals use electronic health records and digital technologies to improve patient care.
According to HIMSS, achieving Stage 6 indicates that digital systems are integrated into clinical practice and support safer, higher-quality care.
The accreditation follows an external assessment carried out by HIMSS on 12 June 2026, during which assessors reviewed the trust’s digital strategy, governance arrangements and use of technology across a range of clinical services.
As part of the evaluation, the HIMSS team visited the pharmacy, intensive care, laboratories, Blood Transfusion Service, S2 Ward, Emergency Department, radiology and outpatient services to observe how doctors use digital tools in daily patient care.
HIMSS also praised Frimley Health for its Connected Care program and the work of its divisional digital clinical leaders (DDCL), with evaluators highlighting the trust’s focus on embedding digital leadership across all clinical divisions.
Caroline Hutton, deputy chief executive and executive leader of digital services at Frimley Health, said the accreditation reflects the successful integration of digital technologies into frontline care.
“Reaching Stage 6 is an important milestone for Frimley Health. It recognizes that, alongside our Electronic Patient Record, our digital systems and clinical technologies are integrated into daily clinical practice to support safe, high-quality patient care across the trust,” he said.
“This not only recognizes how our people are embracing digital ways of working, but also how it improves outcomes for our patients,” he added.
While Stage 6 places Frimley Health among the most digitally mature NHS organizations in the UK, Hutton said the trust is now focused on achieving the highest level of the HIMSS framework.
“Our digital journey continues as we work towards the seventh and final stage of the HIMSS digital maturity framework.
“This next stage is about using digital systems effectively, driving continuous improvement, improving the patient experience and showing how together they consistently transform care at scale,” he said.
He added that achieving Stage 7 would represent a key milestone in the implementation of the trust’s digital strategy, which aims to create “a digitally mature, intelligent and inclusive organisation” by 2030.
John Rayner, HIMSS senior director for EMEA, said of Frimley Health: “Particularly impressive [is] the multidisciplinary management model that supports each division, with the dedicated leadership of an operational manager, a human resources partner, a financial partner and an information professional.
“This integrated approach (employed centrally – implemented locally) is widely considered best practice, ensuring clinical leaders have access to the expertise and data needed to make informed decisions across work, finance, operations and digital.
“By embedding information professionals within divisional leadership teams, Frimley Health is well positioned to support data-driven decision making, performance management and continuous improvement.
“The model demonstrates a strong commitment to delegated leadership, organizational agility and effective alignment of clinical, operational and digital strategies to improve patient outcomes and service delivery.”
