A Summary Care Record (SCR) is an electronic record containing important information from your GP medical record.
It can be viewed by authorised healthcare professionals involved in your care, such as staff working in hospitals, urgent treatment centres or other NHS services.
This can help healthcare professionals provide you with safe and appropriate care, particularly when your GP practice is closed or you are receiving treatment somewhere else.
What information is included?
Your Summary Care Record contains basic information about:
- Medicines you are currently taking
- Allergies
- Previous serious reactions to medicines
Additional information may also be included where appropriate and with the relevant permissions.
This could include information about significant medical conditions, treatment preferences or other information that may be useful to professionals caring for you.
Who can access it?
Your Summary Care Record is not publicly available.
It can only be accessed by authorised healthcare professionals who have the appropriate permissions and need the information to provide your care.
Healthcare professionals should ask for your permission before viewing your Summary Care Record where this is possible.
Access to your record is recorded and subject to NHS confidentiality and information governance requirements.
Why is it useful?
Having access to important information about your health can help healthcare professionals make safer decisions about your care when they do not have access to your full GP medical record.
For example, it can help them identify:
- Medicines you are taking
- Known allergies
- Previous adverse reactions to medication
- Important health conditions or care needs
Your choices
You can speak to the practice if you have questions about your Summary Care Record or would like further information about how your information is used.
You can also find further information about Summary Care Records and your choices on the NHS website.