Currently, each health and social care organisation holds its own set of records about you. These records may already be shared, through paper records or phone, when requested.

A shared care record is a safe and secure way of bringing all your separate records from different health and care organisations together digitally in one place.

It joins up information based on the individual rather than one organisation.

Controls are put in place to make sure only authorised users can access the shared care records for direct care purposes only. Any other use of this data must have a clear and lawful basis.

Your shared care record may include:

• Address and contact numbers
• Prescribed medications
• Allergies
• Test results
• Care plans, outpatient appointments, inpatient stays, discharge letters, personal preferences/decisions and clinical contacts

Why shared care records matter

Every health and social care organisation that you have contact with has their own set of records. To provide you with the best care it is important that authorised health and social care staff have the most up to date information available to them. Shared care records assist staff to make the best decisions by having a more joined-up picture of your information. This is important in providing safe, personalised, and connected care.

Watch why do shared care records matter?

How shared care records can improve outcomes in health and social care

Simon, a member of the public attending a surgical pre-assessment explains how access to his shared care record greatly assisted his appointment to review history, test results and medications “Off the top of my head I couldn’t swear that I could have got everything right and then at the end of the interview, she (assessment nurse), said “thank goodness for the Dorset care Record” (Simon Heazell, from Yetminster).

“Staff have told us that the shared care record is now essential as electricity and water, and not to take it away from them.” (Fran Draper, Engagement Lead and Senior Project Manager, Connecting Care, NHS South, Central and West).

“ICR (ShCR) is an amazing tool especially in the period of time between the patient being discharged, and the practice database being updated. It allows me to collaborate more effectively with other care agencies, supporting them to provide a more successful care package”. (Tom Bellfield, Care Co-ordinator, St Chads and Chilcompton GP Surgery).

For individuals

• Safer, more coordinated services
• Reduction in time by avoiding the need to repeat medical or social care history
• Fewer repeats of tests, appointments and admissions
• Preferences and needs observed
• Improved experience and continuity of care
• Improved confidence in services

For health and care professionals

• Less time spent seeking information
• The delivery of safer more personalised care
• Ability to work more collaboratively across organisational boundaries
• Improved transfer across services, including discharge planning
• Improved staff satisfaction

For integrated care systems

• Support for more integrated ways of working across health and social care
• Cost saving through more effective way of working
• Improved workforce experience
• Enhanced service delivery plans and care pathways
• Opportunities for data driven identification of local health priorities

Personal accounts

In sharing her story, Branwen highlights the challenges she faced from a lack of joined up care. She explains why accessing data safely and securely is so important. Branwen’s Story – OneLondon

A patient’s perspective of using data – Margaret Grayson is a keen advocate of people sharing their data. Following a diagnosis of breast cancer many years ago, she’s keen for others to understand the beneficial impact of sharing of health data can have.

Why joined up care matters: a patient perspective – David Snelson shares his story, during a medical emergency where he had to seek advice from NHS 111. Without access to his medical records, this could potentially have led to a serious misdiagnosis.