Healthcare :: Way clear for next steps on electronic patient care record

The government is to accept the recommendations of a taskforce on the future of electronic NHS patient records, leaving the way clear for a pilot programme in Spring 2007.

Health Minister Norman Minister commented: “I am grateful to the taskforce and pleased that it agrees that a summary care record will significantly improve the safety and efficiency of patient care. This is especially true when treatment is being delivered where the patient’s usual records are not available, for example by paramedics, out of hours centres, walk in centres and A&E departments.

“I accept the report and its recommendations and we will introduce the summary care record in early adopter sites from spring 2007 with careful monitoring. In their sites, patients will be able to add comments to their record and request that any part be removed.”

The taskforce has said it is united in its belief that a national care record service is desirable for patients, clinicians and the NHS and the summary care record, cautiously implemented, in line with the taskforce recommendations, will bring real benefits.