Frequently Asked Questions
The NHS Care Records Service
What is the NHS Care Records Service?
The NHS Care Records Service is a secure service that links patient information from different parts of the NHS electronically so that health-care staff and patients have it when they need it to make care decisions.
How will the NHS Care Records Service work?
At the moment, a lot of information is kept within one NHS organisation and not easily available anywhere else.
With the new system, people who are treating you will be able to access those parts of your records that they are allowed to see whenever they need it to provide you with care.
You will be able to see your Summary Care Record whenever you want to online via HealthSpace and together you will be able to make informed decisions about your care.
You can choose what information is available to those treating you.
Why do we need the NHS Care Records Service?
The NHS Care Records Service will improve the safety and quality of patient care and give patients more control over who sees their records and the ability to view their records.
I have received a letter addressed to someone else/the person on the letter you sent no longer lives at my address/the person on the letter has died/etc/what should I do with it? Return the letter to the sender who will be able to amend their records accordingly.
My Health Records
What is the Summary Care Record?
It is a summary of your key health information that will be available to anyone treating you in the NHS across England. I will be really useful for out of hours and emergency care.
What information is in the Summary Care Record?
The Summary Care Record will have your medication, any allergies and any bad reactions to medicines and will build over time with supplementary data which will be agreed by yourself, Wolverhampton City PCT and your GP.
Can I access my own records?
Yes, you can already ask to see your records where you are treated, at your GP, hospital or clinic. You will need to follow the procedures laid out by the Data Protection Act - i.e. make an application in writing or, if that's not possible, by some alternative method. You may have to pay a small charge.
You can also ask to see a copy of the GP Summary contribution to your Summary Care Record before it is created. Contact your GP who can tell you how you can do this. There may also be a small charge.
Will the NHS ask my permission to create my Summary Care Record?
You will be contacted by post before your Summary Care Record is created and you will have several weeks to think about your options.
An information pack will be sent to you that will explain the changes that are taking place and your options.
How long will I have from receiving the leaflet to making my choice about whether I want a Summary Care Record and what information I want to share?
The letter you receive should mention a date, sometime after which your Summary Care Record will be created.
There will be a minimum period (currently 12 weeks) from when the information is sent to you before your Summary Care Record is created.
What will happen if I choose not have a Summary Care Record?
The NHS will always endeavour to provide you with the best care possible. However, it could mean that there might be times when key health information about you is not available.
For example, if you do not have a Summary Care Record and are taken into A&E, then the staff in A&E may not be able to access your current medications, allergies or bad reactions to medicines if they cannot access your Summary Care Record.
The same could apply if you need a doctor outside surgery hours. Please see the following website http://www.nhscarerecords.nhs.uk/ for more information.
Can I limit particular items of sensitive information being accessed in various places where I receive care?
Yes, you will be able to limit access to all or parts of your Summary Care Record. If you have concerns and want to limit access to sensitive information in your record, please contact your GP Surgery to find out who, at your local surgery you can discuss your options with.
Will I be asked for permission to view my Summary Care Record?
Yes, you are in control of your record and who can access it - you will be asked at the point of care if those treating you can look at your Summary Care Record. Unless you are unconscious and the clinician treating you believes it is in your best interest to view your Summary Care Record.
Will other people than those delivering my NHS care be able to access my records?
People outside of the NHS will not be able to access your record without your permission other than in circumstances where it is allowed by law.
This is explained in the leaflet NHS Care Record Guarantee: Our Guarantee for NHS Care Records in England.
Can I stop information being put into my record?
Health- care staff are required to make accurate, relevant records of the care provided. You can discuss what is recorded, where it is recorded and how it is expressed but you cannot prevent a healthcare professional from making some record of relevant information.
Can I change information on my NHS Care Record?
You cannot change information written by others, however if you spot an error you should let your GP know.
How Safe Are My Records?
Is the NHS Care Records Service safe from hackers?
It would be very difficult to hack into it because the system uses the strongest national and international security measures available. It uses stronger safeguards than Internet banking.
Could my records be accidentally deleted or lost?
No, there is strong protection to prevent any information about you being lost or deleted. The information is copied to a separate secure site so there is always a back up.
What are my rights about how you keep my information confidential?
You have the right to expect us to keep your health information private. You also have rights to make sure we keep your details confidential under the Data Protection Act, human rights legislation and the common law.
In every place we treat you, there are people who are responsible for making sure your details are kept confidential. They are sometimes known as Information, or Caldicott Guardians.
Your rights to privacy and our commitment to protect them are set out in the NHS leaflet Your health information, confidentiality and the NHS Care Records Service.
How do I find out who has looked at my Summary Care Record?
A record is kept of everyone who looks at your Summary Care Record and an alert will be sent to a nominated member of staff where access occurs in an unexpected setting, for example, if a clinician who doesn't usually treat you accesses your information. If it is found that the access was unreasonable, we will let you know.
