Interoperable Records

Summary Care Record

There is now a central NHS computerised medical record system called the Summary Care Record (SCR). The Summary Care Record is meant to help emergency doctors and nurses help you when you contact them when the surgery is closed.

Initially, it will contain just your medications and allergies.

Information is securely uploaded to the Spine at least once a day to ensure the data held about you is as accurate and up to date as possible.

As the central NHS computer system develops, other staff who work in the NHS will be able to access the SCR along with information from hospitals, out of hours services, and specialists letters that may be added as well.

Your information will be extracted from practices such as ours and held on central NHS databases (the Spine).   

As with all new systems there are pros and cons to think about. When you speak to an emergency doctor you might overlook something that is important and if they have access to your medical record it might avoid mistakes or problems, although even then, you should be asked to give your consent each time a member of NHS Staff wishes to access your record, unless you are medically unable to do so.

On the other hand, you may have strong views about sharing your personal information and wish to keep your information at the level of this practice. Connecting for Health (CfH), the government agency responsible for the Summary Care Record have agreed with doctors’ leaders that new patients registering with this practice should be able to decide whether or not their information is uploaded to the Central NHS Computer System.

For existing patients it is different in that it is assumed that you want your record uploaded to the Central NHS Computer System unless you actively opt out.

For further information about the Summary Care Record visit the NHS Digital

and there is information about the scheme, including how to opt out, at Your Data Matters - click here.

GP2GP

If you change practices permanently, it is possible that your medical record will be transferred electronically and securely via the Spine.  No data is retained on the Spine after transfer.

GP2GP means that your medical record is available to your new doctor within a few minutes of registration, enabling much safer care.

For more information about GP2GP visit the NHS Digital Website