What is a Summary Care Record

A Summary Care Record (SCR) is an electronic health record that contains essential medical information about a patient, which can be accessed by authorised healthcare professionals across different NHS services in England.

A basic SCR contains:

• Current medications

• Allergies and adverse reactions

• Details of past and current medical conditions (only in some cases if the patient has opted in for an enriched SCR)

An enriched SCR may also include additional medical history, reasons for medication, long-term conditions, and significant medical events—if the patient has agreed to share this information.

1. Safer and faster treatment – If a patient receives care outside their usual GP practice (e.g., at A&E, a pharmacy, or an out-of-hours service), healthcare professionals can quickly access their essential medical details.

2. Reduces risk of medication errors – Helps avoid prescribing medications that may cause adverse reactions due to allergies or existing treatments.

3. Supports continuity of care – Especially useful for those with long-term conditions, complex medical histories, or multiple medications.

4. Mandatory for certain medical services – If you're prescribing or managing medications (e.g., for ADHD treatment at Care ADHD), checking the SCR ensures you have the latest and most accurate health information.

5. Regulatory requirement – The CQC expects providers to demonstrate how they access and use patient information safely and effectively.