The Summary Care Record

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• General Information
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Associated Documents
  

General Information

The Summary Care Record

The Summary Care Record is:

• A summary of a patient’s medications, allergies and any adverse reactions to drugs which they may have suffered taken from the GP Clinical system and placed on the Spine, a central, secure NHS data store for use by other clinicians.
  
  
• This information will be available for Out of Hours doctors deputising for the GP, Accident and Emergency clinicians when the patient presents at hospital and clinicians in other unscheduled care settings (Minor Injuries Units, Walk-in Centres etc).
  
  
• Access to the data is controlled by:
  
  
  • Smartcards with pre-authorised and restricted access, and
  • The patient themselves by giving or refusing consent to view.
    
    
• It is a summary, not the full medical history;
  
  
• It is safe and secure.
  
  
• Patients can opt out if they are concerned.
  
  

HealthSpace

HealthSpace is

• An on-line health organiser which patients can register for and on which they can view a copy of the Summary Care Records once the practice data has been uploaded.

Opting Out

You can opt out at any time.

• Download a form by clicking on the following link: Opting Out
• Write to their GP giving enough information so that they can be identified. (93C3 Read Code).

If you wish to opt back in at a later stage, an additional form can be completed. Please click on the following link to view the relevant form: Request for a Summary Care Record to be Created

Queries

For any queries, ask the Patient to either:

• Contact the NHS Care Records Service Help Line on 0845 603 8510
• Visit the website at www.nhscarerecords.nhs.uk
• View the Frequently Asked Questions on this website.
• Contact the PALS Team on 0800 0151 548

For HealthSpace enquiries contact PALS on 0800 0151 548 or email community.pals@glos.nhs.uk.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the Benefits of having a Summary Care Record?
   
   Answer: It will enable a doctor or nurse who is treating to do so safely. The SCR provides important information for them to decide on the best course of treatment. For more benefits click here
   
   
   
2. Will Gloucester patients who are registered with a Welsh GP have a Summary Care Record?
   
   Answer: No. The Welsh Assembly has introduced its own version of the SCR, called the Individual Health Record. They are similar and eventually it is hoped that all data will be linked across the UK.
   
   
   
3. If I register for a HealthSpace account in Gloucestershire how soon will I see my records?
   
   Answer: We will start uploading records on a practice by practice basis from July, once everyone has had a chance to make up their minds about whether they want a Summary Care Record. It may take several months to complete this, but keep an eye on the “Upload Table” shown on our website. These list the practices alphabetically.
   
   
4. My personal information is wrong, what should I do?
   
   Answer: If you have received a letter containing incorrect personal details please contact your GP to update your information or alternatively write to us at Patient Data, Family Health Service, NHS Gloucestershire, Sanger House, 5220 Valiant Court, Gloucester Business Park, Brockworth, Gloucester GL3 4FE
5. I haven’t had a letter for my child who is under 16, will they automatically have a Summary Care Record created?
   
   Answer: Those under 15 and a half years of age were not sent a letter. If you are the parent/guardian of a child you need to opt out on behalf of your child by writing to your GP or using the opt out form in the same way as for these over 16 years of age. If you feel your child is old enough to understand we would encourage you to talk to them about the SCR so they understand for the future.
6. How can I find out who has viewed my Summary Care Record?
   
   Answer: You can find out this information by writing to our PALS Team who will deal with your request.
7. Where can I find more examples of Frequently Asked Questions?
   
   Answer: To avoid duplication of effort Connecting for Health have captured most of the questions currently being asked. Have a look on their web site and let us know if you can think of any new ones. Call our PALs team for more information.

• For more FAQs click on the links below:
  
  
  • Connecting for Health website
  • NHS Care Records Service website
    
    

Associated Documents

• Information Leaflet - The Summary Care Record (PDF)
• What Happens if I Choose Not to Have a Summary Care Record (PDF)
• Request for a Summary Care Record to be Created (PDF)