Complete comparison of NHS vs private hospital software in the UK — features, pricing, compliance requirements, integration capabilities, data sharing, patient experience, and recommendations.
NHS and private hospitals use different software systems, but integration is essential for the elective recovery plan where private hospitals treat NHS patients. This guide compares NHS vs private hospital software.
NHS vs Private Hospital Software Comparison
| Feature | NHS Hospitals | Private Hospitals | Adrine (Both) |
|---|---|---|---|
| EPR | Epic, Cerner, Lorenzo | Epic, System C | Full EPR included |
| NHS Spine integration | Mandatory | If treating NHS patients | Full integration |
| SNOMED CT | Mandatory | Recommended | Built-in |
| FHIR R4 APIs | Mandatory | Recommended | Built-in |
| CQC compliance | Mandatory | Mandatory | Built-in |
| DSPT | Mandatory | If NHS data | Built-in |
| NHS App integration | Mandatory | Optional | Full integration |
| PbR billing | Mandatory | If NHS patients | Built-in |
| Private billing | N/A | Mandatory | Built-in |
| Cost/month | £200-2,000 | £200-2,000 | £29 |
Integration Requirements
- NHS Spine: Patient demographics (PDS), Summary Care Record, e-RS referrals
- Shared care records: Clinical data exchange between NHS and private
- PbR billing: NHS tariff billing for private sector treating NHS patients
- CDS submission: Commissioning Data Set for NHS activity in private sector
- RTT tracking: Maintain RTT clock when patient goes to private sector
- Data security: DSPT compliance for private hospitals handling NHS data
Why Adrine Works for Both NHS and Private
- NHS-compliant: NHS Spine, SNOMED CT, FHIR R4, DSPT, NHS App — all built-in
- Private-capable: Private patient billing, insurance claims, self-pay pricing
- CQC-compliant: Meets all CQC Single Assessment Framework requirements
- Affordable: £29/month — 90% cheaper than Epic or Cerner
- Interoperable: Integrates with both NHS and private systems via FHIR
- All-in-one: EPR, e-prescribing, RCM, analytics, AI — no add-ons needed
Frequently Asked Questions
- What software do NHS hospitals use?
- NHS hospitals use: 1) Epic (largest EPR — 15 trusts), 2) Cerner Millennium (10 trusts), 3) Lorenzo (5 trusts), 4) System C (10 trusts), 5) Allscripts (3 trusts), 6) Adrine (£29/month, all-in-one). NHS EPRs must meet NHS Spine, SNOMED CT, and FHIR standards. Average cost: £200-2,000/month.
- What software do private hospitals use in the UK?
- Private hospitals (Bupa, Spire, HCA, Nuffield) use: 1) Epic (HCA, some Spire), 2) Cerner (some private), 3) System C (Nuffield), 4) Adrine (£29/month). Private hospitals need CQC compliance but don't require NHS Spine integration unless treating NHS patients.
- Can NHS and private hospital software integrate?
- Yes — when private hospitals treat NHS patients (elective recovery), systems must integrate via: 1) NHS Spine for patient demographics, 2) Shared care records for clinical data, 3) e-RS for referrals, 4) PbR billing for NHS payment. Adrine integrates with both NHS and private systems.