Summary Care Records - new national benefits report now published
A review highlighting how the Summary Care Record (SCR) is supporting better and safer patient care across the NHS has now been published. The report demonstrates the important benefits of SCR use.
Delivery of SCRs is a key priority for the NHS. The 2012 Operating Framework for the NHS in England sets a clear goal that patients who have been contacted about the SCR should have a record created by March 2013 at the latest.
So far 81 per cent of patients in eastern and coastal Kent have been sent a letter about the SCR, 34 per cent of records have been created and work is in progress to create SCRs for everyone else who wants one.
For further information about the Summary Care Record, please contact Jo Quinn Tel: 01227 795029
What is a Summary Care Record?
NHS Eastern and Coastal Kent is working with your GP and the NHS Care Records Service to introduce an improved system for managing your health records known as the Summary Care Record (SCR). These improvements will mean a range of benefits to you including quicker, safer ways to get important information to NHS staff treating you, especially in an emergency.
The new Summary Care Record is being phased in gradually. When your GP is able to offer you this potentially life saving service we will write to you to tell you more about it and the choices you have. View a list of participating practices.
What are the benefits?
Improvements to your care
The reliance on paper records, and their transference from one location to another, inevitably increases the risk of information being lost. One central, electronically held Summary Care Record for each patient will reduce this possibility.
Better treatment in emergencies and out of hours
Your Summary Care Record will be available to health care staff treating you anywhere in England. This will be particularly useful in emergencies or when you need treatment out of hours or when you are away from home.
Faster access
Your care will no longer be delayed by the sending of records from one to another, and you will not be required to repeat information to different health care staff.
Improved information flow between patient and staff
The Summary Care Record will contain details of key health information including medications, allergies and any bad reactions to medicines you have had, providing a medical history at a glance.
Authorised health care staff will be able to see the parts of your Record that are relevant to them, improving the quality of treatment and care.
Personal access to your health record
You will be able to access your own Summary Care Record through web service HealthSpace, giving you a greater say in, and more control over a secure web service HealthSpace, your health and well being.
More tailored care
Information about how you would like to be treated – for example, if you need access to information in Braille, or need wheelchair access – can be added to the record through HealthSpace. This will help cater for your individual needs.
Confidentiality and security of your record
Information in the Summary Care Record is safe and secure and is protected by the strongest security measures available for handling your data.
How can I find out more?
To find out more, download our information booklet or contact our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS).
You can also find more information by visiting the NHS Care Records website or by calling the NHS Care Records Patient Information Line on 0845 603 8510 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).
And, of course, you can also view our frequently asked questions.
SCR enquiry form – If you have any queries or questions relating to Summary Care Records or if you have accessed your own record and have noticed errors, please email eck-pct.scr@nhs.net. Alternatively, download and return the SCR enquiry form.
For any HealthSpace queries or problems please email the local HealthSpace Officer - eck-pct.healthspace@nhs.net or alternatively download and return the HealthSpace enquiry form.
Who has accessed my Summary Care Record?
If you wish to know who has accessed your Summary Care Record please print, complete and return the application form to the address shown on the form. Your request will be dealt with under the Data Protection Act 1998.
External links
If you would like to know more about the Connecting for Health programme, visit www.connectingforhealth.nhs.uk.
To access HealthSpace you can visit www.healthspace.nhs.uk.
Clinical use of the Summary Care Record
This report describes some of the ways in which the SCR is being used in the NHS and how specific benefits are being realised as the SCR is adopted in various care settings.
