Author: Dawn Bauling

HOLSWORTHY MEDICAL CENTRE
NEWSLETTER

www.holsworthymedicalcentre.co.uk 01409 253692

SHARED RECORD UPDATE

SPECIAL ISSUE JANUARY 2016

.SHARED CARE RECORDS
What you should know

NEW DEVON SHARED RECORD
The way information in your medical records is able to be looked at and by whom is in the process of changing in Devon.
A new, linked, electronic medical records system allowing other healthcare professionals to quickly access specific information about your medical needs is being introduced, instead of each medical person keeping a separate record.
This is being called a SHARED RECORD.
Every time you visit another healthcare provider—at a hospital, or for a physiotherapy appointment for example—you will be asked if you give your permission for that medical person to look at your SHARED RECORD. This joint information is then viewed securely on the NHS’s protected network and current information (on allergies, medications, tests results etc.) is checked by the doctors, paramedics and other clinicians, to provide you with the most appropriate care. This became operational on 1st February 2016.

What information can be seen?
The information shared includes your name, address and date of birth and a summary of your health information including:
Recent diagnoses and test results
Any allergies
Medications and treatments you are receiving
Any current or past significant illnesses

CONTACT NUMBERS:
Any queries on medical records in general:
01392 267 665
0300 123 1672
NHS NEW Devon email: D-CCG.informationgovernance@nhs.net
Patient advice email:
pals.devon@nhs.net

Who will be able to see my record?
*Emergency departments & Minor Injury Units
*GPs, including out of hours GPs
*Community Nurses
*Physiotherapists and occupational therapists
*County-wide services such as ambulance services
*Local Hospitals
Dentists and opticians CANNOT view your Shared Record
If you are too unwell, or unconscious to give permission then the system will allow a healthcare professional to look at the shared care record if it will help your care. This type of use is strictly monitored.

Other questions ...
Is this the same as the Summary Care Record (SCR)? No. The SHARED RECORD is not linked to a national system. It is only operational in Devon at the moment. Patients can see their own SCR if they have on-line login details. You cannot view your own SHARED RECORD unless you apply in writing to the medical centre to make a “Subject Access request”—a small fee is charged for this. More information about SCRs is available at the medical centre.
Can I say no to a shared record? You can say no. You are in control of who sees or when your information can be looked at. You can make the decision each occasion you are asked or you can choose to withdraw from the scheme completely. Forms are available to do this at reception and your decision will be recorded on your medical record.
What about my children? Parents will be asked to make this decision for their children until they reach age 11.
How do I know who is looking at my information? Every time your SHARED RECORD is looked at, the medical person who is looking at it must record who they are, where they are looking at it and why. Only practitioners working for NHS can get into the SHARED RECORD. Use of the system is fully audited
It is hoped that this new initiative will allow you to get better advice and safer, more effective care.

More information is available from the ‘Making your health record work better for you’ leaflet.