Bradford and Airedale patients to get quicker, better, safer care
People in Bradford and Airedale will be among the first in the country to benefit from a new patient record project which will allow NHS doctors and nurses to view vital health information.
The new system could save lives as it will allow authorised doctors and nurses to share patient information electronically – so helping patients to get quicker, better, safer care.
'Early adopter'
Bradford and Airedale Teaching PCT is an ‘early adopter’ of the NHS Care Records Service. This means local patients will be among the first to have a summary care record – containing vital information about their health, such as allergies, current prescriptions and any previous bad reactions to medicines - available wherever and whenever the information is needed.
Eventually patients all over England will be able to count on having a summary care record that gives important information about their health and treatment. With patients’ permission, it will build over time to include their main health issues such as long-term conditions, ie diabetes, and operations.
In time, patients will also be able to view their own summary care record through a secure internet site known as HealthSpace. Registration for this will start in the New Year.
A family doctor's view
Dr John Connolly, a GP at The Ridge Medical Practice in Bradford which is among the first wave of practices taking part in the scheme, said the project was an important step in the development of electronic records which would help patients and health professionals alike.
“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.
“This project takes the most advanced technology and makes it as safe as possible, so that patient care is improved and modernised. Health professionals need to have up-to-date information at their fingertips so that patients get the right treatment in the quickest time, and summary care records will provide that.”
Health professionals involved in the patient’s care in an emergency will be able to get their information at the click of a computer mouse – which could save vital minutes. Only healthcare professionals with strict authorisation will be able to access the new secure system.
At the moment, a lot of information is kept within one NHS organisation and not easily available anywhere else. With the new system, healthcare professionals who are treating patients will be able to access important medical information, wherever they need it, to provide them with care.
The patients' view
Patients Geoffrey and Janet Green, both registered at The Ridge Medical Practice, said they were pleased they were going to have a summary care record as it could save their lives in an emergency.
“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,” said Geoffrey.
“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.”
Who is involved?
Over 40,000 patients in Bradford and Airedale will receive personal letters during early December explaining how the summary care record works. More information will be available from their local GP practices or on the NHS Care Records Service information line on 0845 603 8510.
Patients at The Ridge Medical Practice, Bradford, and three Keighley practices – Farfield, also known as St Andrew’s surgeries, Ling House Medical Centre and Holycroft Surgery, are the first local practices to join the scheme. Further practices across the district will come on board next year.
Patients can opt out of the new service if they wish but if nothing has been heard from them within 16 weeks it will be assumed that they are willing to take part. Bradford and Airedale Teaching PCT is offering additional support to ensure people understand their choices through local information points, drop-ins and linking with carers.
The NHS summary care record is the first step in establishing the NHS Care Records Service – part of the National Programme for IT. NHS Connecting for Health, a national agency of the Department of Health, is supporting local organisations to deliver the programme. Over a 10-year period this will programme will connect GPs, hospitals and NHS facilities, and change the way the NHS works.
The summary care record is based on information held at the patient’s GP practice, which in the majority of cases is already stored electronically. In the future the NHS Care Records Service will allow access to doctors anywhere in the country and, with patients’ consent, more information will be held.
For more information about the summary care record click here