Emergency Care Summary Record

The Emergency Care Summary Record is being introduced to GP out-of-hours services, emergency departments and hospital pharmacies across Northern Ireland. It will help to improve the care and treatment that you will receive.

What is the Emergency Care Summary Record?

It is a new healthcare project that aims to improve patient safety and care by making sure that your key details are known by healthcare staff, wherever and whenever you’re being treated. It will share details of your allergies and medications held on GP practice computer systems.

What details does it include about patients?

The Emergency Care Summary Record only includes:

• your name, date of birth and gender
• address and phone number
• current medication and any known allergies

Your detailed medical notes are not included in this record.

Who can access it?

The Emergency Care Summary Record can only be accessed with your explicit consent each time you are being treated by the GP out-of-hours service, emergency department or hospital pharmacy.

Only the health service staff involved in your treatment will have access to your Emergency Care Summary Record. Access to this information will allow the doctor or nurse treating you to give you the best possible care.

In exceptional circumstances where you are seriously ill and unable to give your informed consent, the doctor treating you in the Emergency Department would be allowed to access your Emergency Care Summary Record to ensure your safe treatment.

If you do not want your medical information to be made available to GP out-of-hours, emergency services and hospital pharmacy, you should inform your GP practice.

Further information is available from the Business Services Organisation (BSO).

• Northern Ireland Emergency Care Summary Record – BSO Website