Summary Care Record (SCR) scheme offline

Published: 22 April 2010
by TOM FOOT

THE latest attempt to digitalise the health system has been abandoned following a doctors’ revolt.

The Department of Health has confirmed it is suspending the Summary Care Record (SCR) scheme one month after it began. 

Last month, all patients in Camden received a letter warning that medical records were being uploaded on to the internet. But the British Medical Association threatened to boycott the system unless a full consultation with patients and practices took place.

A Department of Health spokesman said: “Summary Care Records will not be created in the regions identified [Camden] until appropriate professional and public awareness has been raised.”

Patients can opt out of the SCR by downloading a form at www.connectingforhealth.nhs.uk/systemsandservices/scr/documents/optout.pdf