There is a central NHS Computer 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.
Later on as the central NHS computer system develops, (known as the ‘Summary Care Record’ – SCR), other staff who work in the NHS will be able to access it 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.
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.
If you choose to opt out of the scheme, then you will need to complete a form and bring it along to the surgery.
Download the opt out form >>>>
Summary Care Records
The NHS are introducing Summary Care Records (SCR) to improve the safety and quality of patient care. Because the Summary Care Record is an electronic record it will give healthcare staff faster, easier access to essential information about you, to help provide you with safe treatment when you need care in an emergency or when your GP practice is closed.
The Fountain Medical Centre will be going ‘live’ with this project in December 2012. The information that will be shared: Major or Minor clinical problems/illnesses and current medication – please note it will not be the whole of your clinical record that is shared.
You do not need to do anything. This will happen automatically. Healthcare staff will ask your permission every time they look at your Summary Care Record. If you wish to opt out of this project please ask at reception for an ‘opt-out form’.
You should have received a letter from the NHS regarding this project. If you are turning 16 years of age you will not have received a letter – please ask at reception for a leaflet.