Summary Care Records (SCR) are the next big thing in terms of improved patient care and pharmacy efficiency. Having worked in both Community and Hospital pharmacy sectors this is a very useful tool.
NHSE Area teams and the Health & Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) are busy with a planned implementation programme. Not only do you need to complete the excellent training provided by the Centre for Pharmacy Postgraduate Education (CPPE) you have to make a wide range of changes to your pharmacy operations including a wide range of Standard Operating procedures (SOP).
Any processes that interface with SCR and other activity needs to be taken into consideration. This will include;
- Creating a Shared Care Records SOP to incorporate all specific training needs for new staff on induction and existing staff. Include handling ‘Subject Access Requests’ or requests associated with the NHS Care Record Guarantee relating to SCR access.
- Change your Clinical Governance SOP
- Change your Information Governance SOP
- Change your prescription reception, prescription assessment assembly and final check as required.
- Change your Clinical Services SOPs
- Any other SOPs that will interface with SCR.
- Nominate a ‘Privacy Officer’ to access the “Alert Viewer”, including cover in case of sickness etc.
- Computers used to access SCR should meet the required specification detailed in the HSCIC Warranted Environment Specification (WES).
So become SCR compliant and claim your £200 SCR allowance.
Written by Michael Spruzs