Fifteen years. It feels like only yesterday that I took the leap and founded Nervecentre. At the time, most healthcare technology focused on data capture and record-keeping. It was essential work, but I saw an opportunity to create something different: a system that put users’ needs for collaboration and workflow at its heart.
That vision shaped Nervecentre from day one, and 15 years later, it’s still our guiding principle.
Today, we’re proud to offer an EPR that’s built around real-time collaboration. And, if our growth story is a measure of progress, it looks like we’re getting it right. In 2024, we won more EPR tenders than any other provider in the market, securing £250 million worth of contracts in a single year – all delivered on a single platform. In the process, we’ve established ourselves as a trusted EPR and an aspirational purchase for trusts across the NHS.
Looking back, it’s hard to fathom how far we’ve come. What started as a one-person venture has grown into an organisation of 150 people. From humble beginnings to where we stand today, the journey has been extraordinary.
Paul Volkaerts, Nervecentre CEO
That’s because, while we’re proud of what we’ve achieved, it feels like we’re just getting started. Building our EPR was foundational work. Now, we’re poised to address some of the NHS’s biggest challenges – challenges that traditional EPRs haven’t been able to solve. These systems often focus on safety and compliance but don’t always address the productivity and efficiency pressures hospitals face. That’s where we see our next opportunity: helping healthcare providers run more efficiently and effectively while delivering even greater quality of care.
But technology alone isn’t enough. What makes this moment special is the trust and partnership we’ve built with our customers. Many of our customers – like those in the East Midlands that have clustered together to collaborate with Nervecentre at the root – have put their faith in us to deliver on this vision. That partnership is the cornerstone of everything we do. Together, we’re tackling challenges that go beyond the basics of what an EPR can offer, moving toward a future where healthcare systems are more connected, efficient, and patient-focused.
One of the most fulfilling aspects of leading Nervecentre has been watching our team grow alongside the company. It’s incredible to see how our people have shaped our culture and turned Nervecentre into something I could never have imagined on my own. When I think about the key turning points over the past 15 years, many of them are tied to the growth of our team.
From launching vital signs monitoring in 2013 to going live with EPMA in Leicester – one of the more complex modules of an EPR – each milestone represents a step forward, not just for us but for our customers. And now, as we prepare for our first major PAS go-live, I’m reminded of how far we’ve come. What used to be a single focus for the entire organisation is now one of many simultaneous initiatives. It’s a testament to the maturity and capability of our team.
As we look ahead, I’m more excited than ever. The next 15 years hold incredible potential. We’re in a position I could only have dreamed of, with the support of major trusts and a product that is world-class in both usability and innovation. Our ability to develop rapidly, unencumbered by technical debt, sets us apart in a world where agility is often a rarity.
The NHS faces enormous challenges, but – cliched though it might sound – we believe those challenges are opportunities. Over the next decade, we’re determined to break down the barriers that have slowed healthcare’s digital transformation. Whether it’s improving connectivity between care settings, enhancing patient engagement, or driving greater operational efficiency, we’re committed to being at the forefront of that change. And we know our customers and our team are ready to go on this journey with us.
If there’s one thing that has driven our success, it’s our ability to listen and collaborate. Every breakthrough we’ve made has come from working closely with our customers. They are the ones who truly understand their needs, and our role has been to listen, challenge, and co-create solutions that address those needs better than anyone else.
That collaborative spirit is our secret sauce, and it’s what will continue to drive us forward. As we enter this next chapter, I’m confident that the same principles that have guided us for 15 years – listening, innovating, and partnering – will lead to even greater achievements.
