This in from IW NHS, in their own words. Ed
Isle of Wight patients needing emergency care on the mainland will benefit from NHS staff having quicker, easier access to important information about them.
NHS Summary Care Record
The NHS Summary Care Record, which is being introduced across England, is a secure electronic record containing key health information about a patient’s medication, allergies and any previous bad reactions to medicines.
This information can make a significant difference to ensuring safe treatment in an emergency when no other information is available and in emergency situations can save lives.
Currently, through the Vision 360 system, Isle of Wight healthcare professionals can securely view health information for patients they are caring for, who are registered with an Island GP. The Summary Care Record system will enable mainland healthcare providers to do the same, but they will only have access to a very limited set of key health information, as described above.
Right to opt out
Patients have the right to opt out of having a Summary Care Record by completing a form – included in the letter being sent during August to all patients in the Isle of Wight Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) area – using the Freepost envelope provided.
Islanders will have 12 weeks in which to exercise their option to opt out before the system goes live. The NHS has a legal duty to write to all patients individually so some households will receive several letters.
Safeguards for patients who decide to have a record include healthcare staff having to ask their permission before a record can be viewed, and access being restricted to staff with a chip-and-pin NHS smartcard, who are involved in a patient’s treatment.
Audit trail generated when a record is viewed
Unlike paper records, an audit trail is generated each and every time a record is viewed, so anyone who accesses a patient’s record can be identified. No other information will be added to a record without the patient’s explicit consent.
Dr John Partridge, Clinical Director and GP Executive, from Isle of Wight Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said:
“The Summary Care Record provides quick access to patient’s medical history and in an emergency time is of the essence. Being able to find out relevant information about current medication, for example, enables clinicians to provide the safest care possible, as quickly as possible. The Summary Care Record is also of great benefit for more routine medical matters, as every clinician involved in a patient’s care will be able to have swift access to the most up-to-date medical records possible.”
More information can be found on the Summary Care Records website at www.nhscarerecords.nhs.uk or from the national helpline on 0300 123 3020.
