Care professionals in England use an electronic record called the Summary Care Record (SCR). This can provide those involved in your care with faster secure access to key information from your GP record.
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 articular 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.
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 healthcare, you will be helped to recall 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 that 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.
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 discussion between you and your GP practice, and only if you give your permission.
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.
Children and the SCR
If you are the parent or guardian of a child under 16 and feel that they are old enough to understand, then you should make the information in this leaflet available to them and support them to come to a decision as to whether to supplement their SCR with additional information. If your child cannot understand and you believe that they may benefit from additional information in their SCR, then you can discuss this with 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 about Summary Care Records you can:
- Talk to the staff at your GP practice
- Visit: www.digital.nhs.uk/services/summary-care-records-scr/
- Phone the Health and Social Care Information Centre on 0300 303 5678
For an easy read version of the information above you can download our easy read (PDF).
