Patient Record

New Shared Care Record - Delivering better, safe care for all patients

We wanted to let you know that we are finally connecting our systems to offer joined-up health and care records, which will enable better, safer care and treatment for all our patients. 

As a GP, it is difficult to provide joined-up care with so many seperate systems for handling patient information. These were not connected, meaning that you often had to repeat your story each time you received care at a different organisation, or with a different health professional. The Shared Care Record means up-to-date records will be immediately available to professionals caring for you as a patient, when you need direct care. 

It will mean, for instance, a doctor in a hospital, or a paramedic who attends a 999 call will be able to confidentially access the same crucial information that we can at the practice, such as details of any allergies and current medications, bringing potentially life-saving benefits. 

Robust security measures are in place to protect your health information and all staff must follow the law on keeping your information confidential. 

The Shared Care Record is not the same as the General Practice Data for Planning and Research Directions (GPDPR), which is a national NHS Digitial initiative to use GP practice data for research and planning purposes. 

The Shared Care Record is a local initiative to share information with organisations directly involved in your care to ensure that you receive prompt and appropriate treatment when you need it. 

 

For more information, please visit: https://herefordshireandworcestershireccg.nhs.uk/health-services/shared-care-record

 

The current NHS Digital (NHSD) extract of GP data for Research purposes, known as the GPDPR, has been delayed due to NHSD wishing to review the way in which this data will be collected, to conduct a more public involvement and information about the plans and to change the way in which patients can opt out of the extract of their GP data. Currently, the only way to opt out is to complete a Type 1 opt-out form and return this to the practice by 1st September 2021. However, this extract will not be taken until NHSD changes the way it will take the data and respect the patient's choice for using their data. NHSD are introducing the following changes to the opt-out process:

  • Patient's do not need to register a Type 1 opt-out by 1st September to ensure their GP data will not be uploaded.
  • NHS Digital will create the technical means to allow GP data that has previously been uploaded by the system via the GPDPR collection to be deleted when someone registers a Type 1 opt-out, enabling you to opt-out at any time. 
  • The plan to retire Type 1 opt-outs will be deferred for at least 12 months whilst NHSD get the arrangements up and running and will not be implemented without consultation with the RCGP, the BMA and the National Data Guardian. 

We will update you when we know more about the NHSD plans to change how you can control who has access to your data. 

Emergency Care Summary

There is a Central NHS Computer System called the Emergency Care Summary (ECS). The Emergency Care Summary is meant to help emergency doctors and nurses help you when you contact them when the surgery is closed. It will contain information on your medications and allergies.

Your information will be extracted from practices such as ours and held securely on central NHS databases.   

As with all 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. If you don’t want an Emergency Care Summary to be made for you, tell your GP surgery. Don’t forget that if you do have an Emergency Care Summary, you will be asked if staff can look at it every time they need to. You don’t have to agree to this.