The NHS Summary Care Record (SCR) is a national database that holds electronic records of important patient information such as current medication, allergies and details of any previous bad reactions to medicines, created from GP medical records. It can be seen and used by authorised staff in other areas of the health and care system involved in the patient’s direct care. The GP record is known as the ‘source record’. Information is updated every time a relevant change is recorded in the patient’s GP medical record.
The information held in a summary care record gives registered and regulated healthcare professionals, away from the patient’s usual GP practice, access to information to provide safer care, reduce the risk of prescribing errors, and improve the patient experience.
The NHS England web pages on the summary care record, provide comprehensive information about the SCR and additional information in the SCR, how it can be accessed, its uses and benefits, and associated services like the National Care Record Service.
How to Opt-out of an SCR
- Download the SCR Patient Preference Form
You can get the official opt-out form from NHS England Digital here:
SCR Patient Preference Form – NHS Digital 1 - Complete the Form
You can choose to:- Opt out of having an SCR entirely
- Opt out of having additional information included in your SCR
- Submit the Form to Your GP Practice
Return the completed form to your GP surgery. They will update your records accordingly. - Alternatively, Request a Form from Your GP
Many GP practices also provide opt-out forms at reception
Children Under 16
A parent or guardian can request to opt out on behalf of a child, but the GP will make the final decision based on their duty of care.
Transferring Your Electronic Health Record
Your GP practice holds copies of your patient health record electronically and in paper format. Both contain the healthcare information about you that your GP needs including your medical history, medications, allergies, immunisations and vaccinations.
If you have previously registered with a different GP in England, upon registering at this practice your electronic health record will, where possible, be transferred automatically from your previous practice through the use of an NHS system called GP2GP.