Four GP practices in Bradford and Airedale PCT are to become the fifth early adopter site for the Summary Care Record.
Letters will be sent to more than 40,000 patients registered with the practices next week, explaining how the SCR works and giving them 16 weeks to opt out of the scheme. The PCT says it will also offer additional support to ensure people understand their choices through local information points, drop-ins and links with carers. Registration for HealthSpace will start in the new year.
The four practices taking part, The Ridge Medical Practice in Bradford and the Ling House Medical centre, Farfield and Holycroft Surgery in Keighley, will form the first wave of practices with more due to join next year.
Dr John Connolly, a GP at the Ridge Medical Practice, said the scheme would help patients and health professionals alike.
He added: “At the moment there is a lack of integration of health records in the NHS. Often, doctors and nurses have to rely on letters, phone calls and faxes to get vital information about patients. Creating summary care records will bring the records system into the 21st century as it means patients’ data can be shared among professionals who are treating them.”
The scheme was also welcomed by two patients at the Ridge Medical Practice. Patient Geoffrey Green said: “I think this is an excellent idea, particularly for people who live on their own and don’t have anyone to tell doctors and nurses about what medication they’re taking or if they’re allergic to anything.
“If I was on holiday at the other end of the country and needed urgent care, I’d be confident that my summary care record would have enough information for doctors to treat me quickly and safely. My practice has had electronic records for many years, but now the most useful part of that data can be transferred into what could be a life-saving record. That’s a real improvement for patients.”
The other four PCTs taking part in the early adopter programme for the SCR are Bolton. Bury, Dorset and South Birmingham PCTs.
Fiona Barr