National Blueprint for the Single Patient Record

This white paper outlines the vision for a Single Patient Record (SPR) as a strategic evolution from Shared Care Records (ShCRs) within the NHS. It describes the limitations of current ShCRs, which are primarily read-only systems that aggregate data but do not allow for real-time interaction or updates. The SPR aims to create a federated, writable infrastructure that enables data to be authored once and accessed everywhere, enhancing clinical safety and patient empowerment. The document discusses the necessity of a system that allows for seamless data movement across care settings, addressing the current challenges of fragmented patient information and the inefficiencies that arise from it. It emphasizes the importance of building on existing ShCRs and integrating them into a national framework that supports real-time data sharing. The paper also highlights the potential benefits of the SPR in improving patient outcomes and operational efficiency within the NHS, advocating for a shift towards a more connected and responsive healthcare system.