Chapel Row Surgery is delighted to inform patients of the roll-out of the first phase of Connected Care.   Doctors and nurses at the Out of Hours service Westcall are now able to view ‘live’ the main details of your GP records.  Items that are visible include medication, values: blood test results, height, weight and so on, allergies and problem lists: such as heart attacks, diabetes, operations, as well as more minor records of infections.

It is very important to understand that you will always be asked permission before your GP records are viewed.  You can refuse permission at any point which means you retain complete control over who can see your records.   Whether you agree to your records being viewed or not the doctor or nurse will continue to give you their best care.

Initially the option to allow your records to be seen is available at Westcall, Newbury Minor Injuries Unit as well as the Walk-In Centre at Reading.  In time this is expected to roll out to other locations across West Berkshire, including into A&E and the wards at the Royal Berkshire Hospital and the Ambulance Service.

Your GP records will only be viewed if you give your permission each time you visit Westcall etc., Your GP records remain secure as information can’t be added into your records nor can they be kept after the doctor or nurse closes your notes.

At Chapel Row Surgery we feel this is a major step forward in connecting up the services that provide care for you and will greatly improve the way we function in an extended healthcare provider team.