Sharing your healthcare records

Why is sharing important?

Health records about you can be held in various places, including your GP practice and any hospital where you have had treatment. Sharing your health record will ensure you receive the best possible care and treatment wherever you are and whenever you need it.

Choosing not to share your health record could have an impact on the future care and treatment you receive. Below are some examples of how sharing your health record can benefit you:

• Sharing your contact details will ensure you receive any medical appointments without delay
• Sharing your medical history will ensure emergency services accurately assess you if needed
• Sharing your medication list will ensure that you receive the most appropriate medication
• Sharing your allergies will prevent you being given something to which you are allergic
• Sharing your test results will prevent further unnecessary tests being required

How does sharing occur?

• All new patients are automatically asked if they consent to share their records. They will be given a form to complete indicating which records they are happy to share.
• Existing patients may be asked when they see a doctor or a nurse or alternatively they can request a form at Reception to indicate their preferences.
• Even if you have consented to share your records you can change your mind at the point of care.
• In the case of your Summary Care Record (SCR) you will be asked if healthcare staff can look at your information every time they need to, unless it is an emergency and they are unable to gain consent e.g. if you are unconscious.

What is your health record?

Your health record contains a type of data called “confidential patient information” – in other words all the clinical information about the care you receive as well as your name, address, date of birth and contact details. Confidentiality is a high priority for any healthcare organisation with rigorous regulations and governance to ensure your full identifiable and personal medical data is only ever seen by carefully vetted doctors, nurses and administrative staff responsible for overseeing your care.

However, with the development of information technology the NHS is increasingly sharing key information with other people that may need to care for you at various times in your life such as community nurses, hospitals, A&E units and out of hours services.

There are various ways in which your information can be shared.

• NHS Summary Care Record (SCR)
• Joining Up Your Information (JUYI)
• Enhanced Data Sharing Model (EDSM)
• Data Project

NHS Summary Care Record (SCR)

There are two types of Summary Care Record (SCR):

• Basic information about any recent prescriptions you have had, allergies or reactions to medication
• As above with additional information to include significant problems, procedures, immunisations and end of life care plan

Joining Up Your Information (JUYI)

JUYI, otherwise known as Gloucestershire Shared Health and Social Care Record, is specific to health services within our county. It is a way of sharing your information across the services that you are most likely to need while you are residing in this area including urgent care, community care and outpatient departments.

Other healthcare professionals managing your care and able to access your information under JUYI will be able to view your medications, test results, diagnoses, care plans, reactions to drugs, allergies, vaccination history, referral letters and hospital discharge summaries.

You can read more about this on the One Gloucestershire website.

Enhanced Data Sharing Model (EDSM)

The database and software used to store your GP Health record is called “SystmOne”. This secure National system is also used by other NHS organisations such as care services and some hospitals.

Giving consent to your GP to share your record via SystmOne allows safe transfer of important information between these services.

This type of record sharing also allows other professionals to add information when you see them for a consultation or a home visit such as our community nurses. It is helpful to our doctors to be able to see records of the care you receive outside the practice.

National data opt-out

Your confidential patient information can be used for research and planning purposes providing the NHS with numerous benefits such as research into diseases such as cancer and diabetes. It can be used for planning services more effectively such as
Influenza vaccination campaigns. Research bodies and organisations can request access to anonymised data in accordance with good practice and the law. All NHS organisations must provide information on the type of data they collect and how it is used.

Further information about your NHS health records.

If you wish to opt out of this programme you can do so in the following ways :

• Online at your-data-matters.service.nhs.uk
• By phone on 0300 303 5678 – Speak to the NHS Digital contact centre. They can help you use the online service or make or change a choice on your behalf.
  Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm (excluding bank holidays)
• By post – Fill in a manage your choice form and send to NHS PO Box, 884, Leeds, LS1 9TZ