Many people think that when they call the ambulance service or go into hospital or use social care services, the health and social care professionals can see their enhanced medical information – this is not true – they can only see the basic information. Health and social professionals need to have consent from the patient to be able to see all the information their GP practice holds about them so they can make the best informed decision about the care the patient receives.
All patients in the UK will have a Summary Care Record which holds basic information about a person’s medical history. If consent is given to adding more information to this record, it becomes an ‘Enhanced Summary Care Record’.
What should I do if I want to add more information to my medical record?
By telling your GP practice that you would like to add more information to your summary care record, doctors, nurses, paramedics, social care and hospital staff will be able to see your records and treat you quickly and in the most appropriate way.
You may want to add information such as long term health conditions, personal care preferences or legal decisions that you and your family have made about your healthcare in an emergency or at end of life.
If you have an elderly friend or relative, or know someone with a long term condition such as asthma, diabetes or heart problems or if they are living with dementia or a disability, they can greatly benefit from having and Enhanced Summary Care Record.
All of this information remains confidential and is kept within the NHS and social care services.
What is additional information?
Additional information can be added to your SCR by your GP practice and is a summary of information about your medical history. It can include the following:
Your long term health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart problems or rare medical conditions.
Your relevant medical history – clinical procedures that you have had, why you need a particular medicine, the care you are currently receiving and clinical advice to support your future care.
Your healthcare needs and personal preferences – you may have particular communication needs, a long term condition that needs to be managed in a particular way, or you may have made legal decisions or have preferences about your care that you would like to be known.
Immunisations – details of previous vaccinations, such as tetanus and routine childhood jabs.
Including this additional information means that you have an ‘enhanced’ Summary Care Record.
How will additional information help me?
Essential details about your healthcare can be very difficult to remember, particularly when you are unwell. Having additional information in your SCR means that when you need health or social care support you will be helped to recall and clarify this vital information.
There are already clear benefits for your care from having medication, allergy and adverse reaction information available through your SCR. If you choose to add additional information, this can further increase the quality of your care. Additional information can also empower you if you need some help to communicate your complex care needs.
Adding more information to your Summary Care Record
Please note: specific sensitive information such as any fertility treatments, sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy terminations or gender reassignment will not be included, unless you specifically ask for any of these items to be included.
For more information talk to the staff at your GP practice or visit https://digital.nhs.uk/services/summary-care-records-scr
You can also phone the NHS Digital on 0300 303 5678
How do I include additional information in my SCR?
Your GP practice may recognise that having additional information in your SCR will be of benefit to you and may suggest this change. Alternatively, you can discuss your wishes with your GP practice and agree that information should be added to your SCR.
Additional information will only be included in your SCR after you have discussed this with you GP practice and only if you give your permission (this can be verbally or written).
Once you have chosen to add additional information to your SCR, your GP practice will continue to do this and keep it up to date. Remember that you can change your mind at any time by simply informing your GP practice.
Vulnerable patients and carers
Certain vulnerable patient groups such as those with dementia or with detailed and complex health problems can particularly benefit from additional information in their SCR. If you are a carer for another person and believe that they may benefit from additional information in their SCR, then you can discuss this with them and their GP practice.
Where can I get more information?
For more information talk to the staff at your GP practice or visit https://digital.nhs.uk/services/summary-care-records-scr
You can also phone the NHS Digital on 0300 303 5678