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Switch over from SCRa to NCRS

The National Care Records Service (NCRS) is the improved successor to the Summary Care Record application (SCRa).

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We require all users and organisations to switch from SCRa/1-Click to NCRS by 29 September 2023.

You can switch and start using NCRS now. 

About switching over
  • The platform used to authenticate SCRa is an old legacy system that is closing down.  
  • Switching over to NCRS is quick and simple. With the right software installed on the users’ device, it can be as easy as changing a web link.
  • NCRS is built on a new authentication platform that offers greater support for internet first connectivity and additional user authentication methods beyond physical smartcards. 
  • It provides a quick, secure way to access national patient information to improve clinical decision making and healthcare outcomes and it is free to use. 
  • NCRS offers multiple access options, such as biometric authentication and smartcards. It's available in clinical, office or mobile environments over the internet, as well as the Health and Social Care Network (HSCN).  
  • NCRS provides access to patient information for a wider range of health and care professionals. 

Read our user guidance

For digital leaders and organisations

The switchover to NCRS is a straightforward task. It can be as simple as updating existing SCRa links on portals with the new NCRS link.

Users will need to have NHS Credential Management and NHS Identity Agent installed on their machine to run NCRS. There is a simple online check to see if they are present on their device.  

There should be minimal impact on your users as the services they access via SCRa are not changing, it is simply the interface to access them that will change.  

The NCRS interface is user-friendly and meets modern accessibility standards. It has been designed in collaboration with end users. 

Users are still able to search for patient NHS numbers using Personal Demographics Service, access patient Summary Care Records, Child Protection information and view Reasonable Adjustments and use the National Record Locator (NRL) to view mental health crisis plans and end of care plans.  

NCRS provides access to an increasing number of services and will provide access to Shared Care Records.  

All users existing smartcard credentials and access rights will continue to work on NCRS as they have with SCRa.  

You can choose to roll out to all users at once or to specific groups if you want to test the roll out. 

Switch over today by rolling out the NCRS link to your staff.

For health and care professionals (users)

There should be minimal impact on you when you switch to NCRS, as the services you access via SCRa are not changing it is only the interface to access the services that will change.  

All your existing smartcard credentials and access rights will continue to work on NCRS. There are already thousands of health and care staff using NCRS.  

Find out more about switching, and view a demo and screen shots on our user guidance page. 

If you have any further questions complete the NCRS new interest form.  

Further information

internal National Care Records Service (NCRS)

The National Care Records Service provides a quick, secure way to access national patient information to improve clinical decision making and healthcare outcomes and it is free to use.

internal National Record Locator (NRL)

The NRL enables authorised users to find specific patient records that are held on different health care systems.

internal Integrating the National Care Records Service for system suppliers

We offer an integration service for systems suppliers for them to launch the National Care Records Service from within their local applications. It's a simpler and less resource intensive method to view the service, and replaces the previous 1-Click Service to view the Summary Care Record Application (SCRa).

Last edited: 13 April 2023 1:08 pm