Our History

For over 25 years, NEP has supported NHS organisations through collaboration, shared innovation, and modern finance and procurement solutions designed specifically for the NHS, by the NHS.

What began as a regional shared services initiative has evolved into one of the most established NHS-led cloud ERP consortiums, supporting organisations with finance, procurement, reporting, planning, and cloud-based transformation solutions.

25+ years supporting the NHS

38+ NHS organisations supported

£20B+ NHS revenue supported

35,000+ system users

A Shared Vision from the Beginning

NEP was established in 2001 as part of the NHS Shared Services initiative launched in 1999.

The vision was simple:

  • Improve collaboration
  • Strengthen reporting
  • Reduce duplication
  • Increase efficiency across NHS finance and procurement

From the outset, finance, procurement, and operational teams worked together to build a solution based on real NHS challenges and day-to-day operational needs.

That collaborative ethos still defines NEP today.

NEP Cloud

NEP Through the Years

1999 The NHS Shared Services Initiative Begins

National NHS shared services programmes begin, focused on collaboration, efficiency, standardisation, and modernisation across finance and procurement services.

2001 North East Patches is Established

NEP launches as North East Patches, bringing together NHS organisations across three regions to implement a shared finance and procurement system built around NHS operational requirements.

2001 First Shared System Demonstration

NEP delivers its first large-scale conference room pilot, bringing NHS finance and procurement colleagues together to collaboratively review and refine the shared solution.

2002–2005 Collaboration and Membership Growth

The consortium continues to expand, strengthening shared governance, operational processes, and collaboration across NHS organisations.

2010s Expanding Beyond the North East

As organisations from outside the North East joined the consortium, NEP evolved from North East Patches to National ERP Provider, reflecting its growing national role supporting NHS organisations across England.

2018 Transition to Oracle Fusion Cloud

NEP successfully transitions to Oracle Fusion Cloud, becoming one of the NHS’s earliest and most experienced Oracle Fusion Cloud consortiums.

2020–2021 Supporting the NHS Through the Pandemic

During COVID-19, NEP Cloud continued supporting NHS organisations with resilient cloud-based finance and procurement systems, remote accessibility, and collaborative support.

2023 Growth of NEP Reach Reporting

NEP continues expanding its reporting and analytics capabilities through NEP Reach Reporting, helping organisations improve visibility, financial insight, and decision-making.

2024 Consortium Growth and National Collaboration

NEP continues growing nationally, supporting organisations across multiple NHS regions through shared governance, working groups, networking forums, and collaborative innovation.

2025 Oracle Excellence Award Finalists

NEP is recognised as one of the top three innovators in the Oracle Excellence Awards. At the heart of this achievement is NEP Reach Reporting.

2026 Celebrating 25 Years of NEP

NEP celebrates 25 years of collaboration, innovation, and NHS partnership. Continuing to support NHS organisations with proven cloud ERP solutions designed by the NHS, for the NHS.

Then

Now

Regional shared system initiative

National NHS cloud ERP consortium

Traditional reporting

Real-time analytics and reporting

Local infrastructure

Oracle Fusion Cloud ERP

Separate operational processes

Integrated finance and procurement

Manual collaboration

Connected NHS-wide consortium model

Shared regional solution

National ERP provider for the English NHS

Built on Collaboration

Unlike commercial software models, NEP operates as an NHS-led consortium where organisations actively contribute to the development and direction of the platform.

This collaborative model allows organisations to:

  • Share best practice and operational knowledge
  • Reduce duplication and improve consistency
  • Influence future development priorities
  • Strengthen governance and reporting
  • Support shared services and Integrated Care Systems
  • Learn from real NHS operational experience

Through networking forums, working groups and consortium engagement, organisations continue shaping NEP Cloud together.

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From Shared Systems to NEP Cloud

Over the past 25 years, both technology and NHS operational requirements have evolved significantly, and NEP has evolved alongside them.

The move to Oracle Fusion Cloud in 2018 marked a major milestone, establishing NEP Cloud as one of the NHS’s most mature cloud ERP solutions.

Today, NEP Cloud supports NHS organisations with:

  • Finance and procurement management
  • Purchase-to-Pay (P2P)
  • Order-to-Cash (O2C)
  • Accounting-to-Reporting (A2R)
  • NEP Reach Reporting
  • Enterprise Performance Management (EPM)
  • Shared governance and collaboration

Looking Ahead

While much has changed since 2001, the principles behind NEP remain the same.

Collaboration. Shared learning. NHS partnership. Continuous improvement.

As NHS organisations continue modernising finance and procurement operations, NEP remains committed to supporting the NHS with proven cloud solutions, collaborative governance, and technology designed around real operational needs.

25 years on, NEP continues to demonstrate what can be achieved when the NHS works together.

Frequently Asked Questions

25 Years Strong and Still Evolving

For over 25 years, NEP has supported NHS organisations through collaboration, innovation, and shared success.

Discover how NEP Cloud continues to help organisations modernise finance and procurement operations with confidence.