Summary Care Records

On Monday September 19, 2011 around 200,000 people in Oldham received information about Summary Care Records and had 12 weeks to decide if they would like one created for them. 

Summary Care Records (SCR) is a new way of storing essential information about a patient electronically, including details of allergies, current prescriptions and whether they have had any bad reactions to medication. 

SCR will mean this information is easily and quickly available, which could prove vital - especially if the patient is confused or unconscious. 

People who decide they want one, don’t have to do anything; those who do not want one can contact their GP to ‘opt out’.  People can change their mind either way at any time, by contacting their GP practice.

SCR will soon be available to doctors working out of hours at Go To Doc and staff at The Royal Oldham Hospital.  Staff at Fairfield General Hospital and Bolton Royal can already access Summary Care Records and eventually the aim is for them to be available to doctors at every hospital in the country.  

SCR use the latest security technology to ensure they are kept secure and confidential. Only staff involved in the care of a patient will be given access and patients will be asked for their permission before their record is accessed. In exceptional circumstances, for example if a patient is unconscious, the doctor may decide to act in the best interests of the patient and access their Summary Care.

This is the second wave of the SCR programme.  In February 2010, Alexandra Group Medical Practice; Saddleworth Medical Practice; St Mary’s Medical Centre and Dr Trewinnard’s practice sent patients information about SCR.  They have now created a Summary Care Record for those who want one.  So, patients at these practices will not be involved in the second wave.For more information, patients can call the NHS Care Records Line on 0845 603 8510 or get in touch with NHS Oldham’s Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) on 0800 389 8679 or at olp-pct.pals@nhs.net