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Support for GP practices

This webpage brings together key SCR guidance and information that is relevant and important for GPs and their practice staff.

GP practice guidance and resources


Developed in collaboration with key stakeholders including the BMA and Royal College of GPs, these resources will help GP practices manage the introduction of Summary Care Records (SCRs) in their practice:

  • UPDATED GP practice guide (PDF, 1.1MB) – this guide is intended to provide GP practices with an awareness of SCR, the role they play in creating the record and supporting patients and contains the key information that practices need to know.  It has been updated to include information about the new SCR consent codes and how GP practices should manage patient SCR consent preferences depending on whether the new consent codes are activated in their GP IT system or not. 
  • GP practice checklist (PDF, 35kB) – the checklist can be used by practices to help ensure they have the appropriate information, materials and process in place to support rollout of SCRs.  It is to be used to support two-way communications with PCT SCR project teams and GP practice staff.
  • GP practice posters – these GP practice posters will help to raise awareness of SCRs, and the choice patients have.
  • UPDATED Introducing the new SCR consent preferences and codes (PDF, 73.4kB)  – Following work between NHS Connecting for Health, the BMA and Royal College of GPs, new codes are being introduced to support GP practices to accurately reflect patient SCR consent preferences. GP systems will require an upgrade to recognise the new codes in order to control the flow of information to the SCR. Until systems have been upgraded, existing codes should continue to be used to control the information sent to the SCR.  This guide describes how the new codes will be introduced and contains FAQs to assist GP Practices.
  • NEW SCR enhancements to GP IT systems (PDF, 197.5kB) – this guide is aimed a GP Practices and describes at a high level the SCR enhancements and functionality that will be introduced in GP IT systems.  Each GP IT system supplier will introduce some or all of these enhancements through releases or upgrades to their systems. Suppliers will communicate precise details of releases to practices. As releases become available, further quick reference guides will be produced and published on this webpage:
    1. Activation of the new SCR consent preferences and codes.
    2. Improved functionality to support practices managing unsent SCR queues.
    1. Activation of the new SCR consent preferences and codes.
    2. Introduction of SCR PDS synchronisation.
    3. New SCR clinical reporting functionality.

Other guidance

Other guidance and resources are also available to help you manage your implementation.

  • Additional information and the SCR – a resource for healthcare staff containing key guidance for managing additional information including content and how to add additional information using the GP IT systems.
  • Information fit for sharing through the SCR – guidance for GP Practices to help them understand how to ensure that the information they will share through the SCR is fit for sharing.
  • New Patient Process – what to use when informing newly registered patients about SCR
  • Business process maps – information to help healthcare staff to understand the business protocols which either support SCR or are affected by the introduction of SCRs.
  • Frequently asked questions – all your clinical, implementation and general Summary Care Record questions answered.
  • Training resources – a range of training resources and materials are available.

Communications resources

Stay informed

SCR Communiques provide updates on the latest implementation information and links to useful new information. Visit our mailing list page to sign up for SCR communiques.

Dealing with patient queries:

For patients needing further information about SCRs GP practice staff should refer them to the NHS Care Records patient website or the SCR Information Line on 0300 123 3020 (The line is open to Monday to Sunday 8am to 8pm.)

Get help or further support