History of SCR
The evolution of the SCR began when a Ministerial Taskforce Report on how best to implement the records submitted its report in December 2006. As a result of its recommendations, the Taskforce Advisory Group was established which included representatives from a variety of organisations with clinical and non-clinical backgrounds to advise on the implementation of the SCR.
PCTs across England were invited to participate and GP practices in the following Early Adopter PCTs were the first in England to create SCRs for patients:
- Bolton PCT
- Bradford and Airedale Teaching PCT
- Bury PCT
- Dorset PCT
- South Birmingham PCT
- South West Essex PCT
The purpose of the Early Adopter Programme was to gain experience, assessing several key concepts associated with the SCR, such as the information governance controls around viewing the records. It was also to capture lessons learned ahead of full national rollout of the SCRs across England making sure that future implementation projects could run efficiently, using their experience. National rollout began in 2009 for both the creation and viewing of records.
In 2010 a review was commissioned by the Health Minister Simon Burns. The review, published in October 2010, concluded that a Summary Care Record containing core patient information of medication, allergies and adverse reactions will prove valuable for patients needing emergency care. You can find out more about the SCR reviews here - http://www.connectingforhealth.nhs.uk/newsroom/news/valueofscr
Further Information
SCR The Bury Experience (PDF, 475Kb) provides information about Bury PCT and their local implementation of the SCR.