The Devon and Cornwall Care Record is a new system that brings together patient data from a wide range of clinical systems and presents it as a single record.
It enables authorised health and care staff to see information held by other providers across Devon and Cornwall’s health system – from GP practices and hospitals to hospices and care homes.
Most health and care staff can view records through their organisation’s existing IT system, which means they won’t need additional log-in details. However, some will have to access it through a web-based portal, which will require them to log in.
Who leads the programme?
The Devon and Cornwall Care Record programme team is made up of clinicians, information governance specialists and communications professionals.
The team’s key role is to implement the programme’s strategy and it reports to the wider digital transformation boards in Devon and Cornwall. The team also works closely with patient representative groups to ensure patients have a say in the programme’s development.
Keeping you involved and informed
The Devon and Cornwall Care Record team sends out a monthly bulletin to keep health and care staff updated on the progress of the programme. If you’d like to be added to the mailing list – or have any other questions about the programme – please email d-ccg.devonandcornwallcarerecord.pmo@nhs.net.
Or, if you’d like us to attend one of your regular meetings (for example, a primary care meeting) to provide a more comprehensive outline of the programme, please get in touch. We’ll also be organising bespoke workshops to involve you in aspects of the programme as it develops.
What to communicate to your patients
As a user of the DCCR you must remember to be transparent about what happens to a patients/service users data and this includes the use of the DCCR. One way of informing people of how their data is being used is to have a conversation e.g. at first face to face contact.
You could make an individual aware of the following:
– What the DCCR is, e.g. ‘I will access your DCCR record today to double check what medication you are currently on. It is a digital care record system showing me relevant information about your health.’
– How individuals can learn more about the DCCR, e.g. referring to the organisations Privacy Notice which should be linked to the DCCR website or any other available Transparency Material (e.g. posters or other).
– Why information your record about the patient/service user will show in the DCCR for others, e.g. ‘ The information I record about you today is held on our GP Practice Health Record System which then shares the relevant information (e.g. what treatment you are receiving) with the DCCR to assure all health and care professionals have the information needed in order to look after you.’
You could add the following to your letter templates or as part of your email signature:
‘Devon and Cornwall Care Record’ (DCCR) is a digital care record system for sharing information in Devon and Cornwall. It allows instant, secure access to your health and social care records for the professionals involved in your care.
Relevant information from your digital records is shared with people who look after you. This gives them up-to-date information making your care safer and more efficient.
[add name of organisation] uses the system in the following way [delete the one not relevant]:
- We can access your data stored within the system and provide relevant information about you and your [health/social care]
- We can access your data stored within the system but do not provide any information about you and your [health/social care]
If you would like to learn more about the DCCR and how your information is being used please click here [link to your privacy notice].’
Page last reviewed: 18 July 2024
