More than 750,000 patient records digitised across Bedford Hospital and Luton & Dunstable Hospital

UXBRIDGE, UK — 21 October 2026 — Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has completed the digitisation of general adult patient records across Bedford Hospital and Luton & Dunstable Hospital in partnership with Xerox.

The completion of historical scanning delivers significant financial and operational benefits. From October, the move to day-forward scanning is expected to contribute approximately £2 million in annual savings. The savings reflect a range of efficiencies, including the elimination of approximately £30,000 a month in off-site storage costs and the release of valuable estate space.

Across both hospitals, Xerox has digitised more than 750,000 patient records. Josh Chandler, Chief Digital Information Officer at Bedfordshire Hospitals, scanned the final record at Bedford Hospital on 7 August 2026. The milestone also recognises the contribution of the clinical, operational, IT, records management and scanning teams who supported the programme over many years.

General adult patient records across both sites are now accessible electronically rather than as physical files. Multiple authorised users can now view the same record simultaneously, eliminating delays associated with locating, transporting and retrieving paper notes.

Xerox first began supporting patient records at Luton & Dunstable Hospital in 2012/13. Following an agreement with Bedford Hospital in 2019 and the formation of Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in 2020, scanning at Bedford went live in September 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This is a significant milestone for the Trust. We have moved from medical records libraries filled with paper to giving our teams immediate electronic access to patient information. Clinicians no longer need to chase paper notes, and multiple staff can access the same record at the same time. For those of us involved from the beginning, it's particularly rewarding to have seen this transformation from start to finish. It's a major achievement for everyone who has played a part,” said Josh Chandler, Chief Digital Information Officer, Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

"This programme shows what’s possible when an organisation commits to long-term digital transformation," said Ian Martin, General Manager UK & Ireland Public Sector, Xerox UK. "We worked alongside Bedford Hospital’s records team through a pandemic to get this programme live, and the Trust has stayed the course ever since. Historical scanning is done, now our focus shifts to day-forward, keeping the Trust's records digital from the point they're created."

This progress comes at a time when healthcare organisations across the NHS continue their transition to digital records. A recent BMJ investigation found that only around one in five hospital trusts in England currently use fully electronic systems for clinical record-keeping.

It also comes as the government presses ahead with plans for a Single Patient Record under the Health Bill introduced in May 2026, which aims to give clinicians improved access to joined-up records from 2027.

Xerox will continue to support the Trust through day-forward scanning, digitising new documentation as it enters the organisation.

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About Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust was formed on 1 April 2020 following the merger of Bedford Hospital and the Luton and Dunstable University Hospital.

Previously the hospitals were run by two separate NHS trusts, Bedford hospital NHS Trust and Luton and Dunstable University Hospitals Foundation Trust.

By combining the two hospitals we have been able to ensure the clinical sustainability of both sites and ensure that key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics can remain at both sites.

Both hospitals deliver a full range of acute hospital services to a population of around 700,000.

The new integrated Trust employs a combined workforce of approximately 8,000 staff, the largest NHS employer in Bedfordshire. The hospitals are supported by an army of 500 volunteers whose invaluable work helps the delivery of services.

 

About Xerox

Xerox is a global technology company with more than 120 years of innovation leadership. We design, manufacture, deliver, and support print, IT, and digital services for nearly 200,000 clients worldwide. Our integrated, AI-powered portfolio includes managed and production print, document management, workflow automation, cybersecurity, cloud managed services, IT infrastructure, and collaboration technology. Serving clients from growing SMBs to 90 percent of the Fortune 500, Xerox supports leading healthcare, government, financial services, education, legal, retail, and commercial organisations. Through direct sales and a global network of channel partners, we deliver the technology, expertise, and support organisations need to operate efficiently, securely, and at scale.