Published 23 June 2009, doi:10.1136/bmj.b2516
Cite this as: BMJ 2009;338:b2516

Letters

Summary care records

RCGP supports use of summary care records

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

The Royal College of General Practitioners supports the use of the summary care record. We now believe that there are enough checks and balances to make it a significant move forward in patient safety and clinical care.

Important changes to security have been made since the scheme was first introduced. The record is now held securely and can be accessed only using computers attached to the NHS spine network. An audit trail is produced whenever the record is accessed, and patients can request information about access to their record.

The original model was based on patients opting out, but it is now "consent to view."¹ Patients will now, except in certain circumstances, always be asked before their record is accessed. They can still refuse to have a summary record, change their minds at any stage, and limit what is being shared. This is a reasonable model offering the best protection . . . [Full text of this article]

¹ Royal College of General Practitioners, London SW7 1PU

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