The first eTriage system of its kind in Scotland will shortly go live — “a vital and clinician-driven step in enhancing patient safety and emergency care,” says a formal NHS partner

NHS Lanarkshire has unveiled the new digital kiosks at University Hospital Wishaw where they will go through a period of rigorous testing and staff training to ensure a safe and smooth rollout prior to being made fully operational on 10 June.

The Health Board says that this “intelligent and automated patient triage digital solution developed by clinicians” is an easy-to-use system that allows patients to self-register when they arrive at emergency departments, helping to prioritise those in most need by providing clinicians with key information from the moment the patient checks in.

The system’s introduction in Wishaw is the final part of a phased rollout across Lanarkshire, which has included University Hospital Monklands and University Hospital Hairmyres.

Formal NHS Scotland partner InnoScot Health believes that the introduction of eTriage is “a very welcome milestone for Scotland in helping busy emergency department staff to quickly assess and prioritise essential care right from the point of arrival”.

Innovation Commercialisation Manager at InnoScot Health, Frances Ramsay said: “This exciting and advanced tablet-based system is leading the way in early identification of sick patients. Its automated, real-time technology is designed to reduce overall waiting times, improve waiting room safety, and enhance patient journeys.

“Essentially, it streamlines processes, eases flow and gets patients the treatment they need based on the severity of their condition, while emergency nurses and doctors remain at the heart of decision-making.

“It is pleasing that this innovation has been developed by innovation-minded clinicians, providing the kind of insight which only those working in emergency departments can fully understand — another example of why a combination of staff and end user data often informs the most effective breakthroughs and improvements.”

eTriage has already demonstrated success at Homerton Hospital, London Borough of Hackney, with measurable improvements including:

• 11-minute reduction in pre-registration queue times during peak hours
• 14% decrease in nurse triage time, allowing more focus on patient care
• 100% of staff reported improved patient flow and safety
• 82% of staff felt better equipped to carry out their roles
• 92% of patients felt they had greater privacy when using the system

Through a self-registration process, eTriage collects important data such as patient histories, providing an alternative to the traditional need for patients to check in at reception, wait to be assessed by a triage nurse, and then wait again for medical review.

Claire Ritchie, interim director of NHS Lanarkshire’s interface directorate, said: “The introduction of eTriage is a proactive step to enhance patient experience, prioritising those in most urgent need while minimising unnecessary delays.

“Importantly, this system will support and enhance our existing processes — not replace them — ensuring that emergency care teams have better visibility and co-ordination.”

Ms Ritchie added: “By providing a continuous ‘safety lens’ on the waiting room, eTriage ensures critical cases are identified instantly, enabling faster, data-driven decision-making.

“Similar systems have been successfully implemented in England and Wales, with clear improvements in patient flow, safety and clinical oversight.”

NHS Lanarkshire says it will share regular updates across its channels ahead of the rollout, ensuring patients understand the changes.