**CAMPAIGN SHORTLISTED FOR TWO MAJOR INDUSTRY AWARDS, INCLUDING A HIGH COMMENDATION**
The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT) is one of the busiest healthcare providers in Essex, providing acute and complex services to over 400,000 people.
In November 2024 it rolled out a new electronic health record, Alex Health; the largest transformation project the Trust has undertaken in its strategic ambition to be the most digitally enabled hospital in the UK.
It was the fastest rollout of Oracle Health’s Cerner Millennium in any UK Trust, and the biggest of its kind in Europe. A creative, wide-reaching communications strategy helped build staff and stakeholder engagement so users were fully trained and ready.
Putting staff and patients first
We devised and delivered the communications and engagement strategy for PAHT.
We set out to engage staff at their level, in their space, using their preferred channels. Given the scale and speed of delivery, we adopted an agile and responsive approach, adapting messaging, formats, and platforms in real time to meet the evolving needs of the programme and staff.
Most importantly, we aimed to ensure every member of staff understood not just the what and how of the EHR, but the why; how it would improve patient care and staff experience.
Building momentum
We developed a phased approach covering all key programme milestones: kick off launch, system design, testing and training, countdown to go-live, cutover, stabilisation, and sustainment.
A strong verbal and visual identity for Alex Health ensured brand consistency and recognition and stood out from Trust communications.
Throughout, we engaged operational and clinical voices, alongside our patient groups and primary care partners, to co-deliver messages, update effectively and build trust.
Our campaign was shortlisted for two major industry awards and won a high commendation. It is recognised as the best in the UK by system providers Oracle Health.
The success of our communications strategy helped PAHT deliver Alex Health within time, scope, and budget; enabling a transformational step forward in digital maturity.
Achievements
engagement – Over 85% of staff accessed pre-go-live communications content
training completion – 95%+ completed mandatory training before deadline
preparedness – 88% of staff surveyed said they felt prepared for go-live
adoption – 92% active user rate within the first month of launch
pah.nhs.uk/patients-visitors/alex-health
