Summary Care Record application (SCRa) private beta
SCRa is a free NHS service which provides a way for health and care professionals to access a patient’s medical information at the point of care. The use of mobile devices to access this information is being tested by limited groups of health and care professionals in a variety of settings ('private beta').Coronavirus (COVID-19) information
The SCRa private beta is in early development. Future release and transition information will be provided on this page.
To help the NHS to respond to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, we are providing a COVID-19 Shielded Patient Flag and including additional information in Summary Care Records for patients by default, unless they have previously told the NHS that they did not want their information to be shared.
There will also be a temporary change to include COVID-19 codes on the patient’s SCR. Users of the Summary Care Record application and SCR 1-click systems will be made aware of specific suspected and confirmed COVID-19 information by a message box displayed on the SCR.
What is SCRa private beta
Health and care professionals have previously only been able to access the Summary Care Record application (SCRa) using a desktop computer, smartcard authentication and a Health and Social Care Network (HSCN) connection.
The SCRa private beta allows health and care professionals to access a patient's demographic information, their Summary Care Record (SCR) and a number of other services using mobile or desktop devices connected to the internet using WiFi or mobile data. NHS Care Identity Service 2 (NHS CIS2) is now being used to authenticate users.
Patient records held on different health care systems
In addition to the information a health and care professional can access using a patient's SCR, the SCRa private beta will offer some users the opportunity to view a patient's mental health crisis plans, if relevant, using the National Record Locator (NRL).
Future enhancements
Future enhancements will include the ability for health and care professionals to access a patient's information relating to:
- Child Protection - Information Sharing project (CP-IS)
- Female Genital Mutilation - Information Sharing (FGM IS)
- Reasonable adjustment flag
It will also provide the ability to edit patient details and access the birth notification application.
The SCRa private beta currently offers the opportunity for users to access patient information using iPads. Future developments will allow other types of devices, both mobile and desktop to be used across multiple operating systems.
Current SCRa desktop users will benefit from:
- improved look and feel
- increased functionality, for example access to a patient's mental health crisis plan
- access without smartcard - ability to authenticate using NHS CIS2
Private beta pilot
The SCRa private beta is being piloted by:
- London Ambulance Service
- Weldricks (chain of community pharmacies)
Future pilots are planned to take place within dentistry and a small number of residential care homes.
The London Ambulance Service pilot
The London Ambulance pilot started with Camden Ambulance Station. As part of an extended pilot, all frontline London Ambulance clinicians will be able to access the SCRa private beta using iPads.
Initial feedback has been extremely positive. Staff have articulated the benefits of being able to provide better and more informed care by having the ability to view patient details when needed.
The pilot is providing project teams with ongoing feedback to further develop the product.
Contact details
Please email your enquiries to: enquiries@nhsdigital.nhs.uk and reference the SCRa private beta.
Further information
An application which allows health and care professionals to view clinical and demographic information.
Last edited: 19 April 2021 1:37 pm