GPs must check consent for extra SCR information

03 November 2010

GP practices that have saved more than the recommended core information into patients’ Summary Care Records will have to get consent or delete the information.

NHS Connecting for Health has written to primary care trusts reminding them of the need to secure explicit patient consent for any additional information on SCRs. PCTs have been told they must take action if they believe practices in their areas have stored additional information.

The letter from Dr Caroline Tait, Primary Care Clinical Lead for the SCR programme, said: “Should a patient not have provided their explicit consent, SHAs and PCTs are advised to work with GP Practices to either amend the SCR to hold only core information or gain explicit consent from each patient for that additional information to be held. Practices should be provided with appropriate support to do this as quickly as possible.”

Previously, GPs could decide whether to add extra information to SCRs and whether this required patient consent. But, following a review by NHS medical director Sir Bruce Keogh, it was decided that the SCR should only hold core data on medication, allergies and reactions, and that patients would have the right to opt out.