Shared Care Record improving care in Herefordshire and Worcestershire
People living in Herefordshire and Worcestershire are benefiting from safer care and treatment, thanks to the introduction of joined-up health and care records.
The Shared Care Record, brings together a person’s separate records into a structured, easy-to-read format. This gives health and care professionals directly involved in an individual’s care, a more complete view of the care and treatment they have received across all services.
For instance, a doctor in a hospital, or a paramedic who attends a 999 call can access the same crucial information as a GP, such as details of allergies and current medications – bringing potentially life-saving benefits.
“We know people want their health and care records to be available to all the professionals who care for them,” said Dr Ian Roper, GP and co-IT Lead (Herefordshire and Worcestershire ICB).
“They tell us they don’t want to have to repeat their story each time they receive care at a different organisation. Bringing together information held by different services means they no longer have to do this, as their up-do-date details are immediately available to any professional directly involved in their care.
“As a result, professionals can make better-informed decisions to improve outcomes for those receiving care across Herefordshire and Worcestershire.”
Local health and care services hold their own separate records about people. Before the Shared Care Record, the various IT systems were not connected, so they were unable to share this information electronically with each other. This could cause care and treatment delays, with organisations having to forward important facts by phone, email or on paper.
The Shared Care Record has made this information available at the touch of a button to those health and care professionals providing direct care for an individual.
Dr Roper said: “Co-ordinating knowledge in this way is a real step forward in the way we deliver care and treatment across Herefordshire and Worcestershire. It underpins our drive to provide seamless care for everyone by integrating health and social care services.
“But, most importantly, the Shared Care Record make care safer, particularly in an emergency when having vital information to hand can make all the difference when it comes to making the right decisions for someone.”
