A new £88m electronic system designed to help Norfolk's three main hospitals work better together has taken a big step forward.

Local health bosses are investing the sum in a new electronic patient record (EPR) to be used at the Norfolk and Norwich, the James Paget in Gorleston and the Queen Elizabeth in King's Lynn.

Once introduced, the record system aims to eliminate over-reliance on paper-based records and vastly improve communication between the three hospitals.

The system, which is planned to launch in 2026, will then mean that information can be easily shared between the sites when a patient has to be transferred for specialist care.

Currently, when hospitals need to share information, records have to be physically transferred - which can cause delays in treatment or force patients to repeat their stories multiple times.

However, under the EPR, staff will be able to access information electronically.

Alice Webster, chief executive of the QEH, said: "This transformative initiative will empower our healthcare professionals to deliver exceptional patient care by providing them with accurate, up-to-date and easily accessible patient information.

"We believe this investment in digital innovation will greatly enhance our ability to meet the needs of our community now and in the future.

"By eliminating the reliance on paper-based records and multiple disparate system, the EPR will enhance coordination and collaboration among clinicians, nurses and other healthcare staff, resulting in improved continuity of care for our patients."

Ian Riley, director of digital and data for NHS Norfolk and Waveney said: "One of our ambitions as an integrated care system is to make sure that people only need to tell their story once.

"This new EPR system will give staff better access to patient information, ensuring better, faster and safer care for Norfolk and Waveney residents."