Young patients set to benefit from electronic prescribing at Noah's Ark Children's Hospital

25 June 2026

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board (CAVUHB) has marked an important milestone with the successful implementation of electronic prescribing and medicines administration across Noah’s Ark Children's Hospital.

The latest introduction of the electronic Prescribing and Medicines Administration (ePMA) system from supplier, Nervecentre, in CAVUHB took place across Noah’s Ark Children's Hospital, the Paediatric Emergency Unit and the Women’s Unit in the University Hospital of Wales (UHW). 

The move to electronic prescribing and medicines administration allows healthcare staff to access digital medicines charts, scan a patient’s wristband for accurate identification, scan medication barcodes, and record medicines administration digitally – all without using a single sheet of paper. This digital shift enhances patient care, making the process easier, safer and more efficient for both patients and healthcare professionals. 

Daniel Rigler, Paediatric Consultant, said: "The introduction of electronic prescribing has been a welcome change for staff on the wards. No more lost charts or poor handwriting to decipher! The huge benefits gained from electronic prescribing support, and safer administration of medications has helped modernise the care we provide." 

Hannah Wilce, ePMA Project Manager, said: “This implementation marks a major milestone for CAV, with ePMA now fully embedded in clinical practice across our inpatient settings. It is already transforming how we deliver patient care — supporting safer, more effective treatment from the moment patients enter our services through to discharge. 

“This achievement is a true testament to the exceptional dedication, teamwork and determination of everyone involved. Delivering such a complex transformation in just eight months is an incredible accomplishment, and one the team should be immensely proud of. The expertise and partnership of colleagues in DHCW and Nervecentre have also been vital in helping us reach this point and making this success a reality.” 

Ffion Thomas, Senior Clinical Informatician (Medications Nurse) at Digital Health and Care Wales (DHCW), visited the Paediatric Emergency Unit to observe the go-live. On reflection of the day, Ffion said: “It was excellent to see the Paediatric Emergency Unit go-live with ePMA, as it will mean a smooth transfer and transition for nurses handing patients over from here to other paediatric wards in the hospital. It also brings the Paediatric EU in line with the adults Emergency Department who have been using ePMA for a few months successfully now.  

“As a paediatric nurse myself, it was a joy to speak with nurses across the children’s hospital who were positive about the change and excited to be using the system, noting the patient safety benefits that come along with it.” 

This latest implementation builds on a series of successful go-lives over recent months across CAVUHB. This includes across UHW in November, within the Emergency Unit, University Hospital Llandough in January and Mental Health settings in March.