A HEALTH minister paid a visit to a mental health centre to see its new IT system to hold patient records.

Minister of State for Health, Ben Bradshaw MP visited the Orpington Community Mental Health Centre, Carlton Parade which is run by Oxleas NHS Trust which provides mental health services in Bromley on October 27.

Staff demonstrated the benefits of the system to him which allow clinicians at the trust’s 76 sites to access electronic patient records.

This makes it possible to access the most up-to-date information, regardless of where they were last treated.

So if a patient requires emergency treatment at the weekend, the doctor will be able to access the latest information.

Mr Bradshaw said: “Information Technology is playing a pivotal role in enabling the NHS to deliver better, faster and safer healthcare.

“Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust is a great example of this.”

For information on mental health services visit oxleas.nhs.uk