20,000 Walsall health records uploaded

The health records of more than 20,000 Walsall residents have now been uploaded as part of a national programme to enable quicker, safer health care through a new electronic system of handling medical records.

The system will introduce an easy access log of personal health information covering medications, details of allergies and any bad reaction to medication that patients may have had in the past.

It means that once the health record has been created, patients will in the future be able to attend anywhere they receive health care in England safe in the knowledge that medical professionals will be able to access a summary of their records and deliver safe treatment.

Approximately 220,000 letters have been sent to residents in Walsall to inform them about the new Summary Care Record scheme. They will also have been advised that they have the right to opt out of the system if they choose.

Professor Sam Ramaiah, Director of Public Health for NHS Walsall, said: “The Summary Care Record is an excellent way of improving patient safety, reducing duplication of tests and allowing easy access to patient information during an emergency. It means that a person’s medical records can be viewed wherever they are in the country should a situation arise when urgent medical care is needed.”

A summary care record is only accessible by staff directly involved in a patient’s treatment. Patients have the option not to be part of the scheme, in which case healthcare staff will continue to record details as before.

To find out more information about the summary care record, patients should contact the dedicated NHS Care Records Service information line on 0845 603 8510 or visit the website at www.nhscarerecords.nhs.uk/summary.