NHS Connecting for Health has set up an early adopter programme designed to discover what works best and to make improvements for the rest of the NHS, based on experience in real-life healthcare situations.

Following feedback from these early adopters and an independent evaluation by University College London, advice has been issued to make it possible to opt out without attending in person.

The original guidance in 2007 was based on the need to ensure that patients understood the implications of opting out. One of the early adopters, Dorset, has a geographically-dispersed rural community and has successfully used a web form, which can be posted.

Based on this experience and wider feedback, it will become possible for all patients to opt out by post. Patients who wish to discuss their options still can, either in person or over the phone.

Dr Gillian Braunold, Clinical Director of the Summary Care Record programme, said: "We have listened to our early adopters and decided we need to make sure there is an easier way to opt out than through a visit to the surgery.

"While it is important that patients are given the opportunity to talk through options, we also want to make it as easy as possible for those who have already made up their mind.

"Patients can be reassured that not only will their permission be asked before their SCR is accessed by any of the healthcare team, but if they change their mind at any point about their SCR being available to healthcare teams, this can be easily prevented."