SUMMARY CARE RECORDS (SCR)

Coronavirus (COVID-19) response: Additional Information is included in your SCR

To help the NHS to respond to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Additional Information will be included in Summary Care Records for patients by default, unless you have previously told the NHS that you did not want this information to be shared.

If you are registered with a GP practice in England, you will already have a Summary Care Record (SCR), unless you have previously chosen not to have one. It will contain key information about the medicines you are taking, allergies you suffer from and any adverse reactions to medicines you have had in the past.

Information about your healthcare may not be routinely shared across different healthcare organisations and systems. You may need to be treated by health and care professionals who do not know your medical history. Essential details about your healthcare can be difficult to remember, particularly when you are unwell or have complex care needs.

Having a Summary Care Record can help by providing healthcare staff treating you with vital information from your health record. This will help the staff involved in your care make better and safer decisions about how best to treat you.

You have the choice of what information you would like to share and with whom. Authorised healthcare staff can only view your SCR with your permission. The information shared will solely be used for the benefit of your care.

Your options are outlined below:

• Express consent for medication, allergies and adverse reactions only.
  You wish to share information about medication, allergies for adverse reactions only.
   
• Express consent for medication, allergies, adverse reactions and additional information.
  You wish to share information about medication, allergies for adverse reactions and further medical information that includes: your illnesses and health problems, operations and vaccinations you have had in the past, how you would like to be treated (such as where you would prefer to receive care), what support you might need and who should be contacted for more information about you.
   
• Express dissent for Summary Care Record (opt out).
  If you DO NOT want any information shared with other healthcare professionals involved in your care.

If you are new to the Practice, a Summary Care Record Consent form can be found in your Registration Pack. For existing patients, please use this consent form. If you chose not to complete a consent form, a core Summary Care Record (SCR) will be created for you, which will contain only medications, allergies and adverse reactions. Please note, you are free to change your decision at any time by informing your GP practice.

Please visit the NHS Digital website for more information.