Summary care record phase 1 roll out begins

NHS London’s Programme for IT is currently rolling out phase 1 of the Summary Care Record (SCR) programme across London. This will start with each PCT writing to patients informing them of the SCR and notifying them what to do if they wish to opt out of having a record created for them. Patients are being asked to ‘inform their GP’ if they wish to opt out.

We understand that PCTs have been offered financial support to write to patients before the end of March 2010. Records will then be created over the next 12-18 months. However, there is no money available to support practices during the SCR programme. NHS London has informed us that a GP information pack is currently in development. Ahead of that, further information is contained in the Chief Information Officer for London’s letter to PCT chief executives.

We have, and continue to, raise our concerns around the programme with NHS London. This includes the impact of the patient letter on practices and any potential PCT activity around FP69s. Watch this space!

For more information on the SCR, visit NHS London’s Programme for IT website.