Benefits and uses of Summary Care Records in community pharmacy

Using SCR in community pharmacy means:

• fewer referrals to other NHS care settings
• a reduced need for phone calls to GP practices
• fewer prescribing errors
• reduced patient waiting times and improved service for patients

Because of these benefits, the use of SCR is a factor in funding for community pharmacies.

For community pharmacy, there are three main scenarios where you can use SCR so that you don't have to phone the GP practice before serving the patient, or refer them to an out-of-hours service if the practice is closed.

Emergency supply

If a patient visits the pharmacy asking for an emergency supply of their medication, you can check their SCR to confirm what to prescribe, the dosage and frequency.

Adverse reactions

If a patient can't remember their allergies, you can check their SCR to make sure the medication you are giving them is safe for them to take.

Self-care - providing vaccinations and other services

If a patient asks for a free flu vaccination or another pharmacy-provided service, you can check their SCR to make sure they are eligible, and provide the service immediately. (If you provide a vaccination or other treatment, you will still need to inform the practice so that they can update the patient's record).