Summary Care Report

NHS Summary Care Recor

The following information is provided by NHS England.

Introduction to Summary Care Records.

Today, records are kept in all the places where you receive care. These places can usually only share information from your records by letter, email, fax or phone. At times, this can slow down treatment and sometimes information can be hard to access. We are introducing Summary Care Records 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, you help provide you with safe treatment when you need care in an emergency or when your GP practice is closed

We are telling you about this before a Summary Care Record is made for you, so that you have time to think about your choices.

You Can Choose to Have a Summary Care Record:

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.

You Can Choose not to Have a Summary Care Record:

If you don’t want a Summary Care Record, you need to let your GP practice know by filling in and returning an opt-out form. (you can obtain this from your GP practice). Should you wish not to have a summary care record please complete the ‘opt out form’ and return it to the surgery

About Your Summary Care Record.

If you decide to have a Summary Care Record it will contain important information about any medicines you are taking, allergies you suffer from and any bad reactions to medicines that you have had. Giving healthcare staff access to this information can prevent mistakes being made when caring for you in an emergency or when your GP practice is closed.

Your Summary Care Record will also include your name, address, date of birth and your unique NHS Number to help identify you correctly. You may want to add other details about your care to your Summary Care Record. This will only happen if you ask for the information to be included. You should discuss your wishes with the healthcare staff treating you.

How Will Summary Care Records Help me?

  • Healthcare staff will have quicker access to information about any medicines you are taking, allergies you suffer  from and any bad reactions to medicines you have had.
  • This means they can provide you with safer care during an emergency, when your GP practice is closed or when you are away from home in another part of England.
  • You will be able to look at your Summary Care Record at any time at a secure website called Healthspace. You must register to use Healthspace to keep it as secure as possible.  Where can I get more information? phone the Summary Care Record Information Line on 0300 123 3020 or visit www.nhscarerecords.nhs.uk

You can also pick up a leaflet from your GP Practice. Alternatively, click on the following link for further info: Health and Social Care Information Centre