Pharmacists could soon be able to view certain patients' blood test results in an “enhanced” version of the summary care record (SCR), C+D has learned.

The Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) is in the “early stages” of offering patients an SCR that includes their blood tests, diagnoses, end-of-life wishes and immunisations, it told C+D on Wednesday (November 18).

As English pharmacists are granted SCR access in a nationwide rollout starting this month, they will be able to access the additional information of any patients who have signed up for an enhanced record, HSCIC said. 

The standard version of the SCR only allows pharmacists to view a patient's medication, allergies and adverse reactions. Patients will need to give their GP “explicit consent” for any additional information to be added to their record, HSCIC stressed.

A “small number of patients” currently have this enhanced SCR, said HSCIC, which is conducting engagement activities to help GPs understand the benefits for patients.

Yesterday (November 19), C+D revealed the first pharmacies to take part in the SCR rollout.
 

How would access to an enhanced record affect the care you offer patients?

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