BMA calls for delay on SCR rollout

The British Medical Association (BMA) has renewed its calls for a cessation of the roll-out of the summary care record (SCR) system, until results of a pilot scheme have been analysed.

Concerns remain about both patient consent and confidentiality regarding the electronic records, due to be uploaded on to a national database, the representative body states.

Planned to work on a ‘one patient, one record’ basis, the system will contain key health information which is hoped to be effective in emergency situations, Health Insider reports.

The BMA letter to the Department of Health states: “The SCR must not be rolled out beyond the six early adopter primary care trusts until the results of the independent review have been made public and ways forward have been agreed by the Summary Care Record Advisory Group.”

It adds that a delay will not significantly impact upon the rollout but could alter perceptions of the NHS Connecting for Health initiative which aims to present the institution as a listening body.

Meanwhile, ZDNet.com reports that the National Programme for IT has seen several milestones passed, including the successful implementation of picture archiving and communications systems (Pacs) and electronic prescription service Choose a Book.