Your Summary Care Record
- What is your summary care record?
- What is HealthSpace?
- Plans for Dorset
- Confidentiality and Security
- Is there anything you need to do?
- Further information
- Drop-in Sessions
What is your summary care record?
Currently your GP has a computer system which holds your medical records within your surgery.
There is a new system being developed called the Summary Care Record. Your Summary Care Record will contain your basic medical information such as details of allergies, current prescriptions and bad reactions to medicines plus any other relevant medical information. By discussing your wishes with your GP, you can also add more information such as health advice you have received or conditions for which you are being treated. This means that clinical staff anywhere in England can access your medical records if they need to whilst treating you.
As a patient you have choices. You can choose not to have a Summary Care Record or to limit what is shared, and you can change your mind at any time. It is not mandatory for you to have a summary care record and there are a number of choices available to you.
Most, but not all GP practices will be participating. At participating GP practices, and if you are over 16, you will have received or will be receiving a letter providing you with details of the service being offered and this also explains your options.
In addition, a new safeguard has been added. If a healthcare professional needs to view your summary care record your permission will be asked beforehand unless you are unable to communicate your wishes at the point of care.
For further information on patient choices please contact the Summary Care Project Manager on 01305 361149 or visit your GP surgery to discuss your options with your GP or staff member.
What is HealthSpace?
HealthSpace is a secure website that allows you to see your Summary Care Record and store and keep track of your personal health information. You will be able to see the medicines you are taking, any bad reactions you may have had to medicines, allergies you might have and the personal details which the NHS holds about you such as your name, address, age and NHS number.
The account types are explained below. You cannot have an advanced account unless you register for a basic account.
Basic AccountA HealthSpace basic account allows you to store and keep track of your health information such as your blood pressure, blood sugar levels, weight and peak flow readings. The benefits of having a basic account are:
- A basic account could help you to manage your health by recording your medications, blood pressure, cholesterol, resting heart rate, maximum heart rate and more.
- You can access your basic account wherever you are in the world using the internet.
- You can access the Choose and Book service to book an outpatient appointment online (if you have been referred by your GP practice).
You can only open an advanced account when your local NHS is taking part in the NHS Care Records Service. The benefits of having an advanced account are:
- You will be able to view your Summary Care Record, which contains your demographic information (such as your name, address and NHS number) and a summary of your important health information (current medications, allergies and bad reactions to medication)
- You can check that your Summary Care Record is accurate and up-to-date.
To register for a basic HealthSpace account, you will need to register at: www.healthspace.nhs.uk
Once your basic account has been set up, you will need to start the application for an advanced account. You will need to bring the application number and three forms of ID to one of our drop-in sessions or your GP practice.
For further information about applying for an advanced acount, the types of ID required to confirm your identity, please click on this link to the "How to Register" page on the HealthSpace website.
Plans for Dorset
Dorset is to be one of the first primary care trusts in the country to be adopting this system. Over the course of the next twelve months most practices in Dorset should be up and running.
The first six practices have gone live; Lyme Regis Medical Centre, Lyme Bay Practice and Littlehurst Surgery in Charmouth, Highcliffe, Quarter Jack and Sturminster Newton Medical Centre.
Royal Manor Healthcare, Portland and Abbey View Shaftesbury, surgeries will follow shortly. Other Dorset patients have now also been written to about this initiative. During 2009, the remaining patients within NHS Dorset will be written to, to inform them of the Summary Care Record.
Patients with Advanced HealthSpace accounts for those practices that have already gone live are now able to see their Summary Care Record.
Is there anything you need to do?
You need take no action if you are happy to have a Summary Care Record created for you. However, if you do not wish to have a Summary Care Record, you can:
- collect a form from your practice, complete, and return to the practice
- download the form below from this website, complete and return to your practice
Please note each individual must complete their own request form.
You will be asked on the form to confirm that you understand the possible risks of not having a Summary Care Record. The risks are summarised in the following document which you should read if you decide not to have a Summary Care Record.
If you have concerns about confidentiality and security please see the confidentiality section below. If after reading about the risks, you still decide to opt out, please click on the link below to download the form which you will need to complete and return to your practice.
Confidentiality and Security
Summary Care Record
In the NHS, security and confidentiality is a major priority. Only those involved with your care will have access to your records. The clinician will have a smartcard protected by chip and pin password and will only see information appropriate to their role. The person who accesses your records will automatically have their details recorded - who they are and what they did. You can ask to see this.
In addition, a new safeguard has been added. If a healthcare professional needs to view your summary care record your permission will be asked beforehand unless you are unable to communicate your wishes at the point of care.
HealthSpace
After you have set up your account you will be asked security questions including your user ID, password and information from a secure login card which you will receive from your HealthSpace agent when you register.
Further Information
For further information about this new service and to download copies of leaflets, please visit:
or telephone the NHS Care Records Service Help on 0845 603 8510.
For further information on HealthSpace and to register for a basic HealthSpace account www.healthspace.nhs.uk.
Summary Care Record and HealthSpace Registration Drop-in Sessions
We have organised a number of open sessions at a number of practices and other locations in the area which you are welcome to attend should you have any questions regarding the Summary Care Record and HealthSpace.
Please note you can attend any session, you do not need to attend your own GP practice.
If you wish to open an advanced HealthSpace account, please email healthspace@dorset-pct.nhs.uk to confirm which session you would like to attend to ensure a HealthSpace agent is available to assist.
Drop-in Sessions
New sessions to follow shortly - dates to be advised.