NHS Guildford and Waverley Clinical Commissioning Group is one of four CCGs behind a new Surrey Care Record due to be launched at the end of August.

Over the next few weeks leaflets will pop through letterboxes to provide people with key details about the Surrey Heartlands Health and Care Partnership initiative, which will eventually give selected health and social care professionals shared access to patients’ records.

The move will see some GP records being made available to professionals within the accident and emergency departments of the four hospitals – St Peter’s, Royal Surrey, Epsom and East Surrey. Local GPs will also have access to the Surrey Care Record.

Initially, records will only be shared by GPs and staff in A&E departments at the four Surrey hospitals.

But in time, other care staff will be able to access relevant information from other health and social care providers to improve care.

Epsom GP Dr Andrew Sharpe, who is Surrey Care Record chief clinical information officer, said: “Most patients already believe we are sharing records. Neighbouring areas such as Hampshire have had shared care records for years.

“Surrey Care Record brings the county into the digital 21st century – allowing care information to flow between organisations, so patients only have to tell their story once.

“Other benefits that will help patients and staff alike, include not having to repeat tests or outpatient appointments just because a patient’s records are invisible to some health and care staff.”

New data protection regulations cover the project and patients can choose to opt out of the Surrey Care Record should they wish to.

People wishing to opt out should speak to their GP practice.

Care professionals will ask for consent at the point of care before viewing your Surrey Care Record, giving patients the opportunity to decide if they agree or not.

It will only contain limited information of records from health and social care providers.

For more information about the changes go to: www.surreyheartlands.uk/surreycarerecord