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Adding More Information to Your Summary Care Record
In England, doctors and healthcare professionals use an electronic record called the Summary Care Record (SCR). This helps them quickly and safely access important information from your GP record when they’re taking care of you.
What is Additional Information?
Additional information in your SCR is a summary of your medical history. It can include:
- Long-term Health Conditions: Things like asthma, diabetes, heart problems, or rare conditions.
- Medical History: Details about past medical procedures, why you need certain medicines, the care you’re currently getting, and advice for future care.
- Healthcare Needs and Preferences: Any special communication needs, how you want your long-term condition managed, or any legal decisions or preferences about your care.
- Immunisations: Information about past vaccinations like tetanus and childhood jabs.
Note: Sensitive information like fertility treatments, sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy terminations, or gender reassignment will not be included unless you specifically request it.
How Will Additional Information Help Me?
Remembering all the details about your healthcare can be hard, especially when you're sick. Having this extra information in your SCR helps doctors quickly find important details when you need care.
Having information about your medications, allergies, and reactions already helps your care. Adding more details can make your care even better and help you communicate your needs more easily.
How Do I Include Additional Information in My SCR?
Your GP might suggest adding extra information to your SCR if it would help you. You can also talk to your GP about what you want to add. This will only be done with your permission.
Once you agree, your GP practice will keep the additional information updated. You can change your mind anytime by letting your GP know.
Vulnerable Patients and Carers People with conditions like dementia or complex health problems might especially benefit from extra information in their SCR. If you’re caring for someone who could benefit, you can discuss this with them and their GP practice.
Children and the SCR If you’re the parent or guardian of a child under 16, and you think they’re old enough to understand, you should talk to them about this leaflet and help them decide if they want to add more information to their SCR. If your child is too young to understand and might benefit from extra information, you can discuss this with your GP practice.
Where Can I Get More Information?
For more details about Summary Care Records, you can:
- Talk to the staff at your GP practice
- Visit NHS Digital
- Call the Health and Social Care Information Centre at 0300 303 5678
- Subscribe to the SCR bulletin
Providing NHS Services
Telephone: 01727 853107