What is a Summary Care Record?
Your Summary Care Record (SCR) is a short summary of your GP medical records. It tells other health and care staff who care for you about the medicines you take and your allergies. It also includes your name, address, date of birth and NHS Number to help identify you correctly.
Healthcare staff anywhere in England can access this information when they are treating you, to reduce the risk of mistakes being made, and to help give you the best care possible when you need emergency treatment or when your GP practice is closed. This includes when you visit a pharmacy or alternative healthcare organisation (such as a hospital or out-of-hours clinic).
There are three options available to you:
- Consent to share ‘Core’ information only (allergies and medications)
- Consent to share both ‘Core’ and ‘Additional’ information
- Opt-out of the Summary Care Record and do not share any information
Who can see my Summary Care Record?
Healthcare staff who are directly involved in your care are able to access your Summary Care Record. They will only see the information they need to do their job, and all access to your Summary Care Record is logged.
Staff will always ask your permission when they need to view your Summary Care Record, unless you are unconscious or otherwise unable to give consent.
Healthcare staff with access to your Summary Care Record will always be registered and regulated healthcare professionals, such as doctors, nurses, paramedics and pharmacists, or those working under their direct supervision.
What ‘additional information’ can be added to my SCR?
You can consent to sharing ‘additional information’ in your Summary Care Record. This may include:
- Current and past significant health problems
- Communication preferences and needs (e.g. Interpreters)
- Immunisation history
- End of life care information (DNACPR decisions, etc.)
This can help healthcare staff to provide you with the best care for you and respect your choices, even if you become unable to tell them what you need or would like.
Changing your SCR preferences
If you’d like to change your decision about your Summary Care Record, you can do this at any time. Just let us know and we will update your preferences.