NHS Devon is planning to introduce a new system for managing your patient records, so that a brief summary of important information is available to healthcare professionals directly involved in treating you. The new NHS summary care records will be provided for every Devon resident who would like one. We believe they will improve patient safety and clinical care. There will be important safeguards about consent and confidentiality. You can also choose not to have one.
What is the NHS summary care record?
Having an NHS summary care record means that any doctor or clinician who is treating you will be able to look at a secure, electronic system and see the following details: what medicines you are taking, any allergies you have, and whether you have had bad reactions to any medicines. This information can be vitally important, especially in an emergency.
The summary care record will not replace your normal health records, and will not contain a full medical history. The summary care record means that if you have an accident, become unwell when you are away from home, or need treatment out of normal hours, then the healthcare staff treating you will have immediate access to important information about you. We believe this will help make your care safer and better.
Over time, health professionals treating you may add details about any health problems and summaries of your care. Every time further information is added to your record, you will be asked if you agree.
What do I need to do to have an NHS summary care record?
You don’t need to do anything.
From 16 March 2010 we will be sending a summary care record information pack to all residents aged 16 and over in Devon (excluding Torbay and Plymouth). The information pack has more details about the summary care record and the choices available to you. It will tell you how to opt out of the scheme if you would like to. The opt-out form you would need to fill in is at the bottom of this page.
In the following 12 weeks there will be a public information programme, during which you can find out more and make your decision. That period will end on 15 June 2010.
If your GP practice does not hear from you by 15 June 2010 we will assume you are happy to have a summary care record. These will be created over the next 12 to 18 months for everyone in Devon who wants one.
Do I have to have an NHS summary care record?
No. If you do not want us to create a record for you, you will find a form at the bottom of this page. Please fill out this form and return it to your GP Practice by 15 June 2010.
You can also order a copy of the form from the NHS Care Records Service information telephone line on 0845 603 8510 (calls charged at local rate).
Can I change my mind later?
If you decide to have a summary care record, you can change your mind in future and ask for the data to be no longer visible to healthcare professionals. However, we need to make clear that, unless there are exceptional circumstances, the information itself will remain on the system, even though it cannot be accessed.
Children under the age of 16
If you are the parent or guardian of a child under 16 then you can decide, with your child if they are old enough, whether they will have a summary care record. Again, if you do not opt out, a summary care record will be created.
Opt-out form
Summary Care Record Opt-out form
How to find out more
Further information and advice about the NHS summary care record is available by:
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