Unit4’s ERP and FP&A solution has been selected by The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (Royal Devon) to implement a next-generation ERP platform. The solution will help unify the organization’s processes, boost productivity, reduce costs and will free up resources in order to deliver safe and trusted emergency services.
Royal Devon’s Eastern site provides specialist and emergency hospital services to around 400,000 residents across several locations in the county of Devon. Formerly the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust (RD&E), it was one of the first Foundation Trusts to be created in England and Wales.
In 2006, the Northern site, formerly the Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust (NDHT) took over the management and ownership of local NHS community services, including five community hospitals, a health centre, resource centre, district nursing, therapy, and sexual health services. In January 2021, NDHT was approved to merge with the RD&E to become one integrated Trust.
A key element of the integration is a significant investment to replace legacy finance and purchasing software systems across all the facilities, within both Trusts and local NHS community services. Within a year, the combined Trust has been able to plan and begin implementing a modern, forward-looking ERP platform that will be regularly updated to keep ahead of changes.
By selecting Unit4 ERP and FP&A, Royal Devon will benefit from a joint service across the East and North sites, with a solution that can adapt to rapidly changing priorities that the community needs and deliver of trusted financial, procurement and planning services.
Chris Richards, Unit4 regional president for UK and Ireland, said: “Robust processes and planning are key to preparing for frequent change and now more than ever, it’s vital for healthcare services to make the best use of their teams’ precious time. With unprecedented levels of demand, it’s never been more essential for organizations like Royal Devon to take control and ensure their technology is future-proof, provides business continuity and is ready to adapt to a changing world.”
Andy Clark, associate director of operational finance at The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, commented: “Unit4’s extensive experience in working with public sector organizations, shared services and merger environments, made it an easy decision for us to partner with them.”
