Adult Social Care Glossary, v 0.6

Currently, each health and social care organisation holds its own set of records about you. These records may already be shared, through paper records or phone, when requested.

A shared care record is a safe and secure way of bringing all your separate records from different health and care organisations together digitally in one place.

It joins up information based on the individual rather than one organisation.

Controls are put in place to make sure only authorised users can access the shared care records for direct care purposes only. Any other use of this data must have a clear and lawful basis.

Your shared care record may include:

Address and contact numbers
Prescribed medications
Allergies
Test results
Care plans, outpatient appointments, inpatient stays, discharge letters, personal preferences/decisions and clinical contacts

Why shared care records matter

Every health and social care organisation that you have contact with has their own set of records. To provide you with the best care it is important that authorised health and social care staff have the most up to date information available to them. Shared care records assist staff to make the best decisions by having a more joined-up picture of your information. This is important in providing safe, personalised, and connected care.