{Date}

Dear {Title} {Surname},

I am pleased to inform you that your GP and NHS Somerset are now able to offer you a Summary Care Record and HealthSpace Account.

Summary Care Record

The new NHS Summary Care Record is being introduced to help deliver better and safer care and give you more choice about who you share your healthcare information with.

Your Summary Care Record is an electronic record of important information about your health. It will be available to healthcare professionals providing your NHS care, which means if you have an accident or become ill, the clinicians treating you will have immediate access to important information about you.

What is the NHS Summary Care Record?

It is not a full personal medical record, only a simple summary. Initially, the Summary Care Record will contain basic information about any allergies you may have, unexpected reactions to medications and any prescriptions you have recently received. More information may be added in the future and you are entitled to add any information to the Summary Care Record which you consider important to your health. For example, if you suffer from heart problems, diabetes or any other condition you can add this in consultation with your GP if you want to. The intention is to help clinicians in Accident and Emergency Departments and `Out of Hours' health services to give you safe, timely and effective treatment.

Such clinicians will only be allowed to access your record if they are authorised to do so and, even then, only if you give your express permission. Basically, you will be asked if healthcare staff can look at your Summary Care Record every time they need to, unless it is an emergency, for instance if you are unconscious. You can refuse if you think access is unnecessary.

Children under the age of 16

Patients under 16 years will not receive this letter, but will have a Summary Care Record created for them unless their GP surgery is advised otherwise. If you are the parent or guardian of a child then you must either make this information available to them or decide and act on their behalf.

What do I need to do to create a Summary Care Record?

If you would like a Summary Care Record and the added protection it can offer, you do not need to do anything - your GP will automatically create your new record on or just after {Endinfoperiod}.

Do I have to have a Summary Care Record?

No, although you are strongly recommended to consider this choice. If you decide to proceed, but at any time in the future you, or a child you are responsible for, change your mind and choose not to have a Summary Care Record all you need do is simply write to your Surgery informing them of your decision to “Opt-out”, or print off the “Opt-out” form from the www.somerset.nhs.uk/scr website and take or post it to your Surgery. If you wish to “Opt-out” now, follow the same process.

HealthSpace Account (online access to your Summary Care Record)

In addition, Somerset patients over 16 can register to access their Summary Care Record when it is available via an advanced account on a secure website called HealthSpace. If you wish to open an advanced HealthSpace account you will need to first register online for a Basic HealthSpace account. Register at www.healthspace.nhs.uk for both a basic account and Advanced account by completing both forms on-line then bring the Advance Registration Request form, together with your identification documents, to one of the Drop-In Sessions listed below. HealthSpace registration follows once we have given patients sufficient time to consider their options, which will take about four months. The `Drop-In Sessions' will be held in your Surgery on the dates and times shown below.

How to find out more

More information and advice about the NHS Care Records service is available. If you have questions, concerns or need more information you can:

0800 0851 067. Advisers are available Monday to Friday from 9.00am to 5.00pm

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Yours sincerely,

Letter to be signed by I. M. Tipney

Chief Executive

NHS Somerset

Chairman: Jane Barrie OBE Chief Executive: Ian Tipney

www.somerset.nhs.uk