SUMMARY CARE RECORD (SCR)

Your Summary Care Record is a short summary of your GP medical records. It tells other health and care staff who care for you about the medicines you take and your allergies.

 This means they can give you better care if you need health care away from your usual doctor's surgery:

• in an emergency
• when you're on holiday
• when your surgery is closed
• at out-patient clinics
• when you visit a pharmacy

Access to SCR information means that care in other settings is safer, reducing the risk of prescribing errors. It also helps avoid delays to urgent care.

At a minimum, the SCR holds important information about;

• current medication
• allergies and details of any previous bad reactions to medicines
• the name, address, date of birth and NHS number of the patient

The patient can also choose to include additional information in the SCR, such as details of long-term conditions, significant medical history, or specific communications needs.

SCRs improve care, but if you don't want to have one you can opt out. Tell your GP or fill in an SCR opt-out form and give it to your GP practice.

You will find more information at the : NHS - Summary Care Records website.