Single patient record in NHS will 'mean 20,000 fewer ED visits'

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By Abbie Llewelyn, PA Media

NHS reforms including a single patient record will mean 20,000 fewer visits to emergency departments each year, according to the Department for Health and Social Care.

The NHS Modernisation Bill, set to have its second reading in the House of Commons on Monday, will establish a system for fragmented health information to be joined up across the country.

However GP leaders continue to raise concerns about how patient data will be safeguarded under the new system.

A single patient record will mean all NHS providers, including hospitals and GPs, will be required to share data, so that doctors and nurses across England can securely see a patient’s medical history, no matter where they are treated.

'Single point of truth'

This means patients will no longer have to keep repeating their story to different NHS staff, with a “single point of truth” leading to more joined-up care.

Clinicians will be able to see the full picture when and where it is needed, with a complete view of the patient’s medicines, allergies and prescribing history.