By Alisdair Stirling
NHS Direct has launched a bid to gain access to the Summary Care Record as the organisation continues to expand its activities, Pulse has learned.
The organisation sees access to patient records as a key strategic move central to its future development, with the move listed as a 'pipeline project' in board papers published at the end of last month.
NHS Direct is currently carrying out a 'scoping exercise' looking at how the care records could be integrated into its activities as it shifts focus to the provision of services, including provision of the new NHS 111 urgent care helpline.
A spokesperson for NHS Direct told Pulse the company was intent on gaining access: 'Assuming that full roll-out of the SCR is confirmed as an integral part of the NHS Information Strategy, it is our intention to set up access to the care record.'
'The project is in its early stages at this point as we assess what integration would be needed to achieve this. Out-of-hours services and NHS24 in Scotland already have access to electronic patient records.'
A Department of Health spokesman said: 'Last year's review of the Summary Care Record agreed that the SCR should support urgent and emergency care provided by healthcare professionals with the consent of patients.'
'We are working with NHS Direct to explore how the SCR could improve the care they offer patients in line with these review outcomes.'
NHS Direct wants summary care record access
