In the spring, Parliament approved CHF 30 million to accelerate the rollout of the electronic patient record (EPR) as a temporary measure. The Federal Council plans to make a decision this fall on the next steps for a major EPR legislative reform, as announced on Wednesday.
In the short to medium term, the eight current EPR providers, known as core communities, which include Swiss Post’s Sanela, will receive CHF 30 for each dossier opened. The cantons are required to match this funding.
This transitional funding aims to boost the limited adoption and use of the EPR during a critical phase, until the planned comprehensive legislative overhaul comes into effect, expected no earlier than 2028.
The EPR allows key health information to be securely stored and easily accessed at any time. However, progress has been slow, with only around 70,000 electronic records opened to date.
Recently, the canton of Uri announced it would not be implementing the EPR as planned in early 2025, citing significant federal-level uncertainties. Furthermore, the Swiss Federal Audit Office (SFAO) recommended exploring a centralized solution for the electronic patient record.
