Northamptonshire rolls out new digital shared health and care record
GP practices across Northamptonshire are now accessing the Northamptonshire Care Record as the new system for digitally joining up health and care records is rolled out across the county.
The Northamptonshire Care Record (NCR) enables providers of health and social care in Northamptonshire to instantly access patient information held by other providers for the purpose of direct care. This will make it easier for health and care providers across Northamptonshire to deliver the best possible treatment and support.
Currently the system combines records from all local GP practices in Northamptonshire, Northampton and Kettering General Hospitals and Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT).
Easier access to shared information will prevent people from having to repeat themselves each time they receive care from a different service or organisation. It could also mean fewer treatment delays, as previously professionals would often have to rely on phone, email or even post to share important facts about patients. This innovative new system is modernising the way professionals share and access information, at the touch of a button.
The system is also in the process of being rolled out at NHFT, where community nurses are among more than 500 users who have access within the trust so far. Work is under way to launch the system at Northampton and Kettering General Hospitals very soon.
Eventually the shared records will also include data from other local organisations, including social care providers, the voluntary and community sector, and East Midlands Ambulance Service.
Kirstie Watson, Digital Director of NHS Northamptonshire Integrated Care Board, said:
“Rolling out the Northamptonshire Care Record to health and social care professionals in Northamptonshire is a huge breakthrough for the project. The journey has not been an easy one, but we have had to ensure this fully integrated data system was as accurate, secure and as easy to use as possible.
“This system will fundamentally change care for patients and professionals. Digitally bringing together the most up-to-date information held by different health and care providers means professionals will have faster access to a fuller picture of a patient’s health to be able to make better-informed decisions.
“For patients, this system will help make it quicker and easier for them to get the right treatment at the right time.
“This new innovative tool will help us deliver the best possible health and care for our county. Ultimately that’s our goal.”
All records are strictly confidential and can only be accessed by clinical and care staff who are directly involved in an individual’s care.
For further information, please visit www.connectingyourcare.net.